(Departure October – March)
Grab this chance at learning embroidery the Gujarati way! Learn how the colorful handicrafts and textiles of Kutch express their rich cultural heritage. Join the Kala Raksha workshop for hands on experience. Visit artisans to see them living their art. Discover precious art in local textile museums and explore local villages. Textiles of Gujarat with Workshop takes you on an artisan journey to a less frequently visited region of incredible India. Partial proceeds go to Kala Raksha, a grassroots social enterprise for preserving traditional arts in Gujarat.
Photo Courtesy of Judy Frater,
Project Director, Kala Raksha Vidhyalaya
Day 1 – Mumbai
You will be met at the airport by our representative outside of ground transportation after clearing customs and driven to your hotel. The rest of your day is free to relax from your flight or explore as you wish or a half day tour can be arranged for you.
Mumbai (Bombay) is the vibrant and pulsating capital of Maharashtra. For over a century, Mumbai has been a commercial and industrial centre of India with a magnificent harbour, imposing multi-storeyed buildings, crowded thoroughfares, busy markets, shopping centres and beautiful tourist spots. The British acquired Mumbai from the Portuguese in 1665 and handed it over to the East India Company in 1671 for a handsome annual rent of Sterling Pounds 10 in Gold! Later, these seven islands were joined together by causeways and bridges in 1862.
Half day tour to see the sites of Mumbai:
Visit Dhobi Ghat, 19th century Jain Temple with its silver doors, the Kamala Nehru Park and the Ferozshah Mehta Gardens known as the Hanging Gardens of Bombay and the Towers of Silence where the Parsis dispose their dead. Visit Mani Bhavan where Mahatma Gandhi spent 17 years of his life working for the freedom of India. Overnight in Mumbai
Day 2 – Mumbai / Ahmedabad (Flight)
After breakfast, you are driven to the airport for your early morning flight to Ahmedabad.
Flight Details:
Flight Name/No: – Spice-Jet / SG-106
Depart from Mumbai: – 0825 Hrs
Arrival in Ahmedabad: – 0950 Hrs
Arrive in Ahmedabad where you are met and driven to your hotel.
Founded in the 15th century by Ahmed Shah, the independent Sultan of Gujarat, Ahmedabad is now the industrial capital of the State and a graceful blend of old and new.
Later you visit Sarkej Roza to view one of the biggest mausoleum of India next to the Taj Mahal. The complex was a retreat place for sultans and later an imperial necropolis. The buildings are a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles. Overnight in Ahmedabad
Day 3 – Ahmedabad
After breakfast you will visit the Calico Museum, a world famous textile museum. Afterwards we will visit the area around Rani-no-Hajiro, a small mosque in the old part of the city.
The Calico Museum of Textiles is regarded as one among the foremost textile museums in the world and an important Indian institution. Its outstanding collection of Indian fabrics exemplifies handicraft textiles spanning five centuries, attracting even international research scholars. Most significantly, it has become a major reference area for our surviving handicraftsmen and also for the Indian machine-textile industry.
Later continue onward visiting Mani Chok– the town square area of Ahmedabad, Rani-no-Hajiro ( the old town section) & another textile museum. See the lattice architecture of temples and buildings indigenous to Gujarat. Overnight in Ahemdabad
Day 4 – Ahmedabad/Bhuj (333 Kms. / 08 Hrs)
Today you begin early morning and drive to Bhuj.
Upon arrive in Bhuj, you proceed to the DSP/Collector Office to get the permission for to visiting the areas. (You can also obtain the permit enroute to Banni.)
(These permits are for the restricted areas as the Kutch areas are the border areas of Indo-Pak so all individual visiting this area needs the permit irrespective of nationalities). Overnight in Bhuj
Day 5 – Bhuj/Bhujodi/Bhuj
Today you will proceed for a day trip to Bhujodi
Bhujodi: A small town just 8 km southeast of Bhuj, Bhujodi is a major textile center of Kutch, with the vast majority of the 1200 inhabitants involved in textile handicraft production. Here you can meet weavers, tie-dye artists and block printers, most of who belong to the Vankar community. Enjoy watching artisans work.
Overnight in Bhuj
Day 6 – Bhuj / Kala Raksha/Vidhyalaya
After breakfast at hotel, you will drive to Kala Raksha, located in Sumrasar Sheikh Village in Kutch. Drive onward to the campus site of Kala Raksha workshops, Vidyalaya, approximately 2 hours from the museum.
Kala Raksha Trust, a grassroots social enterprise, is dedicated to preservation of traditional arts. Envision this broadly, as holistic encouraging of the creative capacity of the artist. Comprising artisans, community members, and experts in the fields of art, design and museums, Kala Raksha was founded on artisan intiative in 1993 in the desert region Kutch, in India. Uniquely committed to documenting existing traditions, the Trust maintains a collection of heirloom textiles housed as a local Museum. Artisans participated in establishing this Museum. Thus it embodies a simple but revolutionary concept: involve people in presenting their own cultures. Kala Raksha Centre is located in Sumrasar Sheikh, 25 km north of Bhuj. Here the museum, production unit, shop and guest house inhabit structures that adapt traditional architecture to contemporary function. A model for community development, the Center is locally managed and operates with solar power.
The Vidhyalaya Campus rests on eight acres of land near Tunda Vandh, in Mundra Taluka, Kutch. The campus includes a guest house with four double rooms, a large courtyard, classroom, office and computer lab. Studios for weaving, block printing and dyeing are constructed in traditional style with stone and lime mortar, and antique wood and stone elements. These structures have revived languishing eco-friendly techniques while contributing to the beautiful, inviting atmosphere of the rural campus.
***Participants stay in the guest house and dormitories. Simple, healthy Gujarati vegetarian meals are included in the workshops.***
Optional 1, 2 and 5 day workshops without room and board are also available.
Day 7 – The Vidhyalaya Campus Five Day Workshop (1st Day)
Discussion: Introduction to the crafts, history and lifestyle. With focus on when and why these crafts are
practiced
Activity: Examine traditional textiles and learn basic techniques
Day 8 – The Vidhyalaya Campus Five Day Workshop (2nd Day)
Discussion: Illustrated lecture on concept and techniques.
Activity: Learning traditional and contemporary patterns and continue with techniques
Day 9 – The Vidhyalaya Campus Five Day Workshop (3rd Day)
Discussion: Film: The Masters’ Voices- artisans discuss design in traditional textiles
Examination of examples, with focus on discovering the relevance of patterns to lifestyle.
Activity: Learn basic form and color patterns. Advanced techniques. Design the final products
Day 10 – The Vidhyalaya Campus Five Day Workshop (4th Day)
Discussion: Illustrated lecture on motifs in cultural context
Activity: Begin to execute project.
Day 11 – The Vidhyalaya Campus Five Day Workshop (5th Day)
Discussion: Illustrated lecture on colour and pattern in Kutch
Participants discuss what they have learned about life and art in rural Kutch.
Activity: Participants finish projects
Post workshop
Exhibition and sharing. Celebrate with Kala Raksha artisans- an afternoon of song, and craft sales.
Day 12 – Vidyalaya/Hodka
Drive onward to Hodka and check into your hotel.
Hodka Village is located in the district of Kutch. The name Hodka is derived from the Gujarati word ‘hodi’ which means boat. The colorful attire of the people, rich art and craft and strong cultural background of the village is what enchants visitors the most. Overnight in Hodka
Day 13 – Hodka/Banni/Hodka
Full day visit to Banni (North Bhuj). Meet Rabaris known for their distinctive craft.
Amidst the Desert land of infinite dimensions, are suspended, quaint little villages. Here you will come across master craft people’ exposing their traditional art, turning our master pieces every day. Their ornaments, clothes, utensils, everything they use – will make you feel as if you have stepped into lifestyle museum leaving you spellbound.
Rabaris have a very rich culture and are known for their “Rabari Bharat (Embroidery)”, especially in Kutch. Rabari women embroider on textiles as an expression of creativity, aesthetics and identity as far back as the tribe’s collective memory goes. Afternoons are time for embroidery in all Rabari villages, where women adorn everyday apparel, bags, skirts, blouses and children’s cradle cloths. Designs are taken from mythology and from their desert surroundings. They use glass mirrors in various shapes: round, lozenge, rectangular, square, triangular, and beak shaped. Overnight in Hodka
Day 14 – Hodka/Bhuj
After breakfast drive to Bhuj.
Bhuj is a famous destination for shopping of handicraft work. Artists from nearby villages bring their art work to Bhuj to sell. There are many important landmarks to visit here for people wishing to study and know more about Kutch embroidery. Overnight in Bhuj
Day 15 – Bhuj/ Anjar/Bhuj
Today discover the town of Anjar.
Anjar is mainly known for the samadhi (tomb) of Jesal Toral, and the bungalow of James Mcmurdo, which is a veritable museum of Kachchhi Art. Places worth visiting are the Ajaypal Temple, the Holy Shrine of Pinjora Pir. Anjar is also famous for its block printing work, nutcrackers, scissors and penknives. Swords and knives made in Anjar and nearby villages are famous and are exported even outside India. Overnight in Bhuj
Day 16 – Bhuj/Dasada
Drive to Dasada.
Dasada is known for its wonderful wildlife sanctuary,The Little Rann Of Kutch, the only sanctuary for the Asiatic wild ass in India. The Asiatic wild ass or gudkhur is one of the most endangered species in the world.. Embark on a game safari, late afternoon which starts at 3:00PM and lasts for 2 plus hours. Overnight at the lodge /resort in Dasada
Day 17 – Dasada/ Patan/ Modhera/ Dasada
Take an early morning game safari at 6:30AM which lasts for 2 plus hours.
After brunch, you discover cultural Patan and Modhera.
Patan is one of the important fortified towns of Gujarat, situated on the banks of the River Saraswati. It was founded in 746 AD by the Chavda king, Vanraj Chavda. The city also served as the capital of Gujarat for about 600 years. The city is very famous for its Patola fabric sarees the world over. The fabric is the specialty of the Patan and prime examples of the traditional art. Each saree is truly a masterpiece and takes approximately 4 to 6 months to be completed.
The Sun temple of Modhera is one of the finest examples of Indian architecture of its period. Built in 1026 A.D. the temple is dedicated to the Sun-God, Surya and stands high on a plinth overlooking a deep stone-steeped tank. Every inch of the edifice, both inside and outside is magnificently carved with Gods and Goddesses, birds, beasts and flowers. Sun Temple of Modhera was built by King Bhimdev I (1026-27) and bears some resemblance to the later and far better known, Sun Temple of Konark in the state of Orissa, which it predates by some 200 years. Like that temple, it was designed so that the dawn sun shone on the image of Surya, the sun God, at the time of the equinoxes. The main hall and shrine are reached through a pillared porch and the temple exterior is intricately and delicately carved. As with the temple of Somnath, this fine temple was ruined by Mahumad of Ghazni. Overnight in Dasada
Day 18 – Dasada/Ahmedabad
After breakfast, drive to Ahmedabad. Your afternoon is free for you to explore or shop on your own. Overnight in Ahmedabad
Day 19 – Depart Ahmedabad/Mumbai
You will be driven to the airport for your departure flight to Mumbai.
Flight Details:
Flight Name/No: – Indigo / 6E-242
Depart from Ahmedabad: – 0840 Hrs
Arrival in Mumbai: – 0950 Hrs
Cost from $3195.00, per person, land only
Based on twin share accommodations
Internal airfare is additional and estimated cost $130.00
NOTE: Partial proceeds goes to Kala Raksha Trust to continue the education and preservation of the making of traditional Kutch textiles
CALL NOW to BOOK 415-331-3791
Cost Includes:
– Accommodation on twin sharing basis in Deluxe hotels
– All hotels are on Bed & Breakfast basis
– 5 Day Workshop at Vidyalaya on Room & Board Basis
– Hotel in Hodka on MAPAI Basis (Breakfast + Lunch/Dinner)
– Hotel is Dasada on JPAI Basis (Breakfast + Lunch + Dinner + Safari)
– All Transfers, sightseeing’s and excursions by Air Condition transport
– Transport will use as per the program only.
– English speaking accompanying guide except in Mumbai
– One time monument entrance fees
– 02 Shared Jeep Safari
– Assistance on arrival and departure
– All applicable taxes at the time of quoting
Does not include:
– Any Air Fare (international or domestic), Visa Fee & Medical Insurance
– Items of personal nature like telecom charges, laundry, beverage, tips, camera fee and gratuities.
– Any other services not mentioned above.
