Curator’s Note

We initiated the Saptasajya Festival in the year 2019 with the primary concept of a collaboration of craftsmen groups with designers and artists practicing in various fields. It was focused on the confluence of the two faculties- of materiality and concept. It aimed to create an experience beyond the visual and cerebral, that of the tactile. The idea was to inspire and promote the practices that emerge out of the local communities and history to consolidate itself with the practices that emerge out of the contemporary. The project attempted to inculcate a newer sense of approach of the craftsmen towards their practice and for them to explore new possibilities. The second edition in 2021 was an extension of the earlier notions with a larger group of craftsmen groups and designers. The groups from the first edition were invited again along with new selection of artisans and artists.

For the third edition we intend to use our understanding and experience from the last two editions and focus on the production of pieces in each of the craft forms to be able to compete in the modern market. The workshops carried out in the previous editions intended to provide a certain exposure to the artisans in a manner that promotes them to explore beyond the traditional forms and techniques that they had already been practicing. This attempt was adequately successful in terms of collaboration and design outcomes. This years’ workshop will aim at the creation of objects fit for a modern taste and can be produced by the artisans throughout the year and hold a market for their authentic products. These products will be authentic and the buyers can collect them as assets or collectibles.

This year’s festival is conceptualized around the emotional experiences of pandemic that connected the past with the present giving result to new aesthetics for the future. Named “NEWSTALGIC”, the theme would motivate designers to delve into the unvisited memories, moments and even daily commodities of the past and blend these with the smart tastes of today’s world.

Post pandemic consumers are getting more eco conscious and are demanding good sustainability practices from the brands they buy. Today’s consumers are looking for ethical messages, companies supporting small local businesses, home grown brands and eco friendly & handcrafted products.

Pandemic gave time to people to reflect on the past, cherish old memories, connect with long lost friends and also think about the future in trying times. Thus, many companies are starting to combine old school and new school product designs.

This combination, called “newstalgic”, helps evoke positive emotions in consumers. And it often increases sales, because it connects their childhood to adulthood, all under the roof of one product. For this season at Saptasajya Festival, we look at:

• Products that are easy to use with smart features.
• Nostalgic designs for comfort.
• Revival of old products.
• Products with essence of both old and new.

In this year’s festival we primarily work on a new idea : Past + Present = Future. In the four days workshop the participants will be engaged in conversation, experimentation, organic collaboration and exchange of ideas and knowledge. The Designers will be selected by an open call application basis with the number of participants the same as last year. The festival will be concluded with an exhibition of the exclusive products made during the workshop.