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India Showcases Craft Heritage At IITF 2025 As Textiles Minister Inaugurates Handloom And Handicraft Pavilion

• By  Textile Excellence
• November 19, 2025

India’s handloom and handicraft ecosystem received a strong boost as Union Minister of Textiles Giriraj Singh inaugurated the Special Handloom and Handicraft Exhibition cum Sale at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The event, curated under the theme “Vastra Kala: Bharat ki Virasat”, places national attention on India’s diverse textile traditions while creating vital income opportunities for artisan communities.

During the inauguration, the Minister highlighted the growing global demand for handcrafted products and noted that the 15-day event will play an important role in strengthening artisan livelihoods. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing a new Hub and Export model to take India’s craft excellence to global markets. He added that current policy interventions are focused on strengthening the full value chain, including raw material access, digital integration, design innovation and market linkages.

This year’s pavilion presents a curated geographical journey through India’s craft cultures. The North zone displays Banarasi weaving and devotional motifs reflecting heritage and lineage. The South showcases the precision of wood, silk and metal craft traditions from Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The East features Odisha and Bengal’s weaving vocabulary shaped through memory and identity. The West brings forward the vibrancy of mirror work, lippan art and carved wood that reflect desert resilience and festive grandeur.

The exhibition runs from 14 to 27 November 2025 in Hall 5, featuring 200 stalls representing 29 States and Union Territories and 53 unique crafts. Managed by the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC), the event provides direct market access to both weavers and craftspeople. Live demonstrations include Kani weaving and Sajni embroidery, offering visitors a view into rare artisanal techniques.

The pavilion also hosts an esteemed group of artisans, including one Padma Shri awardee, four Sant Kabir awardees, four National Awardees and several State and NMC awardees, reaffirming India’s position as the world’s most enduring and sustainable handcraft ecosystem.

The exhibition runs from 14 to 27 November 2025 in Hall 5, featuring 200 stalls representing 29 States and Union Territories and 53 unique crafts. Managed by the National Handloom Development Corporation (NHDC), the event provides direct market access to both weavers and craftspeople. Live demonstrations include Kani weaving and Sajni embroidery, offering visitors a view into rare artisanal techniques.