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Shilpgram is a rural arts and crafts complex, which is situated 3 km west of the regal city of Udaipur and close to the Havala village. Sprawling over an area of over 70 acres, and surrounded by the Aravalli hills, this complex is a living ethnographic museum depicting the lifestyles and cultures of the tribal people of the West Zone.
The complex has huts of the member states put up within it. There are 26 huts in all. These huts are constructed according to the different traditional styles followed by the people of differing geographical regions and ethnic groups living in the west zone, which comprises of five federal states.
In the traditional huts, articles of everyday use are featured with appropriate signages and explanatory details to give a realistic insight into these tribal people's lives. There are five huts from Rajasthan, which represent the weaver's community from Marwar. Two huts were christened after the two sand bound villages of Rama and Sam from western Rajasthan.
From the hilly region of Mewar, is a potter's hut. Seven representative huts from the state of Gujarat have also been put up. A group of six huts from Banni area and one from Bhujodi have been selected from Kutch wastelands.
These people are famous for their weaving, embroidery, bead & mirrorwork, wood work and rogar work. From the lush green area of Canacona in Goa is a representative hut of the Kulumbi tribal agriculturalists, who are well known for their grass and cane weaving work. So there are member huts from each of the representative states who work along with each other in harmony.
Shilpgram thus creates an increasing sphere of awareness among the youth about the knowledge of rural life and crafts. Workshops are held especially for children with themes of art, theatre, music and crafts.
This complex also provides a golden opportunity for urban artists to work along with their rural counterparts, and hence learn from each other thereby enriching their skills, and creating everyday works which could be put up for sale in the exhibitions.
Museums hold traditional objects of everyday use, representing the sense of wonder and aesthetics in rural and tribal life. Crafts bazaars are also held wherein craftsmen are invited periodically to demonstrate their skills and sell the crafts.
Shilpgram also houses a huge amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 8000, which holds theatre festivals on a regular basis. Besides, its aim is also to popularize the traditional folk performing arts. Shilpdarshan is a popular activity at Shilpgram where in traditional performing artists and craftsmen from the villages of the member states are regularly invited to showcase their skills and crafts, and also to sell their creations. This has been a great source of encouragement for the rural crafts persons and performers. In order to make visits to Shilpgram as educative and enriching, workshops and seminars are organized and guests would include master craftsmen, researchers and scholars.
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