T

he gentle hum of conversation mingled with the clink of bangles and the scent of handloom dye as Sathwaro Mela 2025 unfolded at the Belvedere Golf & Country Club in Adani Shantigram, Ahmedabad. Over two luminous days — 4 and 5 Oct — the lawns came alive with colour, rhythm and craft, as artisans and admirers gathered for the third edition of the Adani Foundation’s much-loved cultural fair. It was a weekend where tradition met modernity, and creativity found its true audience — bigger, brighter and more spirited than ever.

An initiative under Project Sathwaro, the Mela reflects the Foundation’s enduring commitment to preserve, promote and celebrate India’s art and craft heritage while empowering the country’s artisan communities. Rooted in the spirit of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the initiative supports sustainable livelihoods through design innovation, process modernisation and access to new markets — ensuring that traditional crafts remain not just relevant but thriving.

Across 65 beautifully curated stalls, over 150 artisans from across India showcased their masterpieces — from the regal elegance of Patola and Chanderi sarees to the delicate artistry of Parsi Gara embroidery, the intricate storytelling of Pattachitra and Gond paintings, and contemporary macramé accessories and handwoven décor.

Drawing over 5,000 visitors, including the Adani Group employees and their families, Sathwaro Mela was a resounding success — not only in spirit, but also in numbers, with sales surpassing INR 53 lakh in just two days. More than a fair, it became a festival of identity — a reminder that India’s living traditions continue to weave stories of pride, purpose and possibility.

“Sathwaro Mela is a tribute to the timeless beauty of our heritage,” said Dr Priti G Adani, Chairperson, Adani Foundation.“But more importantly, it’s about creating real opportunities for the people who preserve that heritage with their hands and hearts.”

This Mela has gradually become a movement. A reminder that every handcrafted piece is not just a product, but a source of income, of empowerment, of pride. By supporting the artisans, Sathwaro is also supporting their families, uplifting their communities, and investing in a self-reliant and culturally rich India.

For Dwaraka Prasad Suthar from Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, an artist practicing the 500-year-old Kavad art, the Mela was ‘transformative’. “I never thought that our art would reach this far or receive so much love and affection,” he said. Kavad, a unique blend of carpentry and painting, is brought to life through a folding wooden shrine used for storytelling – narrating epics from Hindu mythology.

Once confined to local markets and sold for a pittance, art now receives fair prices and long-overdue appreciation. Akshaya Kumar Bariki, a Pattachitra painter from Odisha, and Mohammad Tahir, a hand-carved wooden block artist from Farrukhabad, Uttar Pradesh, echoed the sentiment. For them, the experience was beyond monetary gains – it was the deep satisfaction of seeing thousands of visitors show genuine curiosity, interest, and appreciation for their craft. “Applause is the greatest form of recognition,” they expressed.

Sathwaro Mela was more than just an exhibition - it was a platform for the artisans to connect with a broader audience and understand the latest emerging market trends, which thereby helps them realise their creative and economic potential. This knowledge, along with financial gains, motivates them to focus on design enhancement and maintain high quality in their creations.