Celebrating Living Heritage: A-Anatya Joins Crafts Council of Telangana for Exhibition

A Confluence of Tradition and Design

Hyderabad is set to become the epicenter of India’s coruscating craft legacy with a highly anticipated three-day exhibition, which is organized by the collaboration between the renowned design house A-Anatya (often associated with Anantaya Jaipur), the dedicated Crafts Council of Telangana (CCT), and IID Hyderabad (likely the Indian Institute of Interior Designers, Hyderabad Chapter). Scheduled to take place from December 12 to 14, 2025, at the CCT’s headquarters in Banjara Hills, this event is a brilliant platform dedicated to celebrating and connecting India’s timeless craft traditions. This event is significant as a major design firm known for curating heritage products and a regional craft council that acts as a catalyst for economic sustainability and artistic renaissance. 

The official vision of the CCT is to transform traditional Indian handicrafts into “vibrant and globally appreciated expressions of artistry.” This vision is manifested through multiple workshops, like eco-friendly artisanship, as seen in previous CCT events, and bi-annual textile and craft exhibitions like ‘Aakruthi Vastra’ and ‘Syuti Shaili.’ The upcoming collaboration with A-Anatya is a step forward in maintaining this commitment. 

The Discourse

Primarily, the event engages the visitors to discover timeless pieces, meet the makers, and experience the living craft traditions of India. Therefore, the focus is mainly on high-quality, authentic pieces that carry the story of the artisan and the region. In Telangana, cultural tradition is boasted through Pochampally Ikat, Gadwal sarees, and Bidri metalwork, and so forth.  The contemporary age is all about fast fashion and mass production, which substantially threatens specialized, time-intensive skills. Therefore, events like this provide a vital economic lifeline and a cultural validation for master craftspeople. 

The physical presence of the makers of crafts allows people to engage in conversations with them, enabling people to understand the intricacy of the technique, the origin of the materials, and the profound effort required to create each piece. For the artisans, this platform offers market exposure, fair trade opportunities, and crucial feedback necessary to adapt their skills for a modern audience while retaining the integrity of their craft. The discourse encompasses the essence of luxury, which is actually present in the unique narrative and skill embodied in handcrafted goods, and not in the mass-produced items.

The Designhouse: A-Anatya 

Anantaya is a Jaipur-based design brand founded by Geetanjali and Ayush Kasliwal. It has earned multiple awards (UNESCO Seal of Excellence, World Craft Council Award of Excellence) and bridges craft traditions (such as Dhokra metalwork) with contemporary design sensibilities. Their effort lies in highlighting the true Indian craftsmanship in a moment when craft traditions in India are experiencing both challenge and opportunity. On one side, globalization and mechanization are related to the decline of generational crafts. On the other side, heritage branding and regional craft institutions are providing renewed impetus to revitalize the dying crafts. Amidst all of these, the exhibition by Anantaya and the Crafts Council of Telangana in Hyderabad becomes significant.

What To Expect?

For visitors, the exhibition promises an experience of a ‘curated selection of craft work.’ Rather than simply being a large-scale fair with hundreds of stalls, this looks like a focused exhibition entailing master craftsmanship, reflecting a potential presentation of higher calibre. It aims to emerge as a heaven for designers, interior decor professionals, craft scholars, and serious consumers of craft. Often, craft shows simply devolve into large bazaars that dilute the essence of craft and make it appear only as a ‘commodity’. However, this event’s branding suggests a more thoughtful approach.

Exhibition details

Key Highlights 

• The event offers a vital partnership where a major design house, A-Anatya, lends its aesthetic vision and market access to the traditional craftspeople supported by the CCT.
  
• Hosting the event at the Crafts Council of Telangana’s own space reinforces the CCT’s role as a central hub for craft promotion in the region.
  
• The curation promises to highlight specific techniques and traditions, offering a learning experience alongside the shopping opportunity.
  
• By providing a direct platform, the exhibition facilitates fair trade and sustainable income generation for artisans from Telangana and across India.
  
• The involvement of IID Hyderabad ensures that the crafts are promoted within the professional design community, fostering their incorporation into contemporary interior and architectural projects.

The Future Woven in Hand-Crafted Threads

 

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By investing in such curated exhibitions, they are doing more than just supporting individual artisans; the bigger picture is unveiled when people realize that it is actually safeguarding an invaluable knowledge base, promoting eco-friendly production methods, and decoding the unique character of modern Indian design. This exhibition aims to make sure that these “living traditions” thrive for generations.

However, the concerned authorities should also be cautious about guarding the essence of this exhibition from becoming overly exclusive or luxury-oriented, thereby distancing themselves from the grassroots makers and communities they claim to represent. Its projection seems inclusive, and it has something or the other for almost everyone. Also, the partners like A-Anatya and IID are key to ensuring the continuity of this event in its true essence.