A Hundred Hands brings river edit to Bengaluru this weekend

The highlight of this edition of The Festival of Handmade is its river-themed collection

Updated - October 28, 2026 07:59 pm IST

The Festival of Handmade by A Hundred Hands is back in the city and this time round, the works of over 200 craftsmen from as many as 26 Indian States, will be on display.

This edition of the festival is themed around the rivers of India, hence the name, The River Collection. The ethos of the festival has always been to encourage artisans to step away from the tried-and-tested and create something new; this theme has seen them use the imagery and idea of rivers as their primary motif, and the result has been an unusual range of products.

For instance, SewFabStories has a range of totes and table runners crafted from various shades and prints of blue fabric to replicate waves, while accessories from Risham Jewellery and Desi Soul are reminiscent of riverbeds and its flora. And needless to say, there is no dearth of paintings and other art work revolving around rivers.

By eliminating the middleman, the festival has closed the gap between craftsmen and potential purchasers. This method allows artisans to feel the pulse of the market, at the same time, it gives buyers a chance to express what they are interested in. Besides, by promoting handmade products, the festival encourages buyers to make socio-economic and sustainable choices.

According to a press release, Mala Dhawan, founder trustee of A Hundred Hands, says, “We chose the Rivers of India as the theme because like crafts, rivers connect people and geographies and carry stories. In this special collection, they connect different craft languages, revealing how one idea can take many unexpected forms in the hands of different makers.”

This year too, will see a fashion show hosted by fashion choreographer and stylist Prasad Bidapa, where the crafts and textiles on sale at the stalls will be showcased on the ramp, allowing buyers to see how products will appear in real time.

At the festival, one can also attend workshops on lippan work and pot painting, pottery, the building of sand terrariums, and more. Apart from open mic performances over the weekend, there will also be a flash jam on Sunday morning at 11am.

The River Collection from the Festival of Handmade is on till November 1 at Jayamahal Palace from 11am to 8pm. Entry fee ₹100 payable at the venue

Published - October 28, 2026 07:51 pm IST

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