EPCH to organise Bhartiya Hastkala Utsav 2026, A Celebration of Authentic Indian GI-tagged Handicrafts

23rd March 2026, Kolkata : The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) is organising the Bhartiya Hastkala Utsav 2026 from 26th to 29th March 2026 at Acropolis Mall, Kolkata. The event is curated as a focused national platform to celebrate and promote Geographical Indication (GI)-tagged handicrafts, while creating wider public awareness about India’s traditional craft heritage and the stories embedded in GI products. The event will be held as an exhibition-cum-sale platform, offering visitors an excellent opportunity to explore and purchase authentic Indian handcrafted products.

This grand event will showcase an exclusive collection of Geographical Indication (GI) tagged handicrafts from across the country. A Geographical Indication (GI) Tag is a form of intellectual property right that identifies a product as originating from a specific place, where a particular quality, reputation, or characteristic of the product is essentially due to its geographic origin.

Speaking ahead of the Expo, Dr. Neeraj Khanna Chairman, EPCH said that “Bhartiya Hastkala Utsav 2026 is a celebration of India’s authentic, place-based crafts where every GI product carries the identity of its region, the skill of its community and the continuity of tradition. By bringing GI artisans and award-winning craft masters to a high-footfall public platform like Kolkata, we aim to create stronger awareness, wider appreciation and direct market linkages that support artisan livelihoods and encourage buyers to choose genuine GI products.”

Dr. Khanna further added, “the fair will bring together a rich and diverse collection of GI-tagged handicrafts from across the country. Around 50 GI craft artisans from different regions of India including National Awardees and Shilp Guru Awardees will participate and present their traditional craft products, reflecting India’s living cultural heritage, community knowledge systems and enduring design legacy.”

Sagar Mehta, Vice Chairman, EPCH said, “GI crafts represent both heritage and value products that are unique, traceable and rooted in centuries of workmanship. The Bhartiya Hastkala Utsav offers an opportunity for visitors, designers and retail buyers to discover GI-tagged collections under one roof, while giving artisans a platform to engage directly with the market. Our focus is to help artisans and enterprises convert visibility into demand through better presentation, storytelling and buyer connect.”

O. P. Prahladka, Member Committee of Administration (CoA), EPCH & Convenor – Eastern Region, said, “Kolkata has always been a city with a deep cultural relationship with art, craftsmanship and heritage where appreciation for handmade products is part of everyday life, from traditional textiles and décor to festive and lifestyle buying. The Bhartiya Hastkala Utsav enables us to bring India’s GI-tagged crafts into a vibrant, high-footfall public space, making it easier for families, young shoppers, designers and craft lovers to discover authentic, place-based products.

The fair will be open to visitors on all four days from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM and is being organized as a Business-to-Consumer (B2C) event. It aims to promote on-the-spot sales while also offering significant opportunities for volume buyers, retail shoppers and other professionals.

Rajesh Rawat, Executive Director, EPCH, remarked, “EPCH has consistently worked to promote GI crafts by creating effective marketing platforms, especially for micro and small entrepreneurs, artisans and craftspeople. This exhibition will present a vibrant and diverse range of GI-tagged products, bringing distinctive regional craftsmanship and export-quality handmade excellence under one roof. Visitors will get unique opportunity to discover authentic crafts such as Madhubani, Mithila painting, Sujani embroidery, Appliqué work from Bihar; Pattachitra & Nakshi Kantha from West Bengal, Manjusha Painting from Bhagalpur, Hand Embroidery & Crochet, Jharkhand, Art Metalware, Imitation Jewellery from Odhisha and more understanding their heritage value and engaging directly with the makers behind these iconic traditions.