National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum, Delhi

About National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum

The National Handicrafts and Handloom Museum (NHHM), commonly known as the National Crafts Museum, is one of the largest craft museums in India. It is run by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. The museum was established in 1956 and is managed by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India. It aims to promote and preserve the traditional handicrafts and handloom traditions of India. The Crafts Museum was envisioned as a platform to showcase and preserve the diverse traditional crafts and handlooms of India, which would act as a cultural repository of the country's artistic heritage. The museum complex was designed to resemble a traditional Indian village, with various galleries and sections showcasing various crafts and regional art forms. The village complex includes huts, courtyards and community spaces that create an immersive experience for visitors. It provides a platform for artisans to showcase their work to a wider audience and connect with potential buyers.

Architecture of National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum

The National Museum of Handicrafts and Handlooms commonly known as the Crafts Museum, is unique and carefully designed to create an immersive experience that reflects the cultural diversity and artistic heritage of India's traditional crafts and handloom textiles. The museum complex resembles a traditional Indian village, providing a distinctive backdrop for the exhibition of various crafts and art forms. The layout includes open courtyards and communal spaces that serve as gathering places, allowing visitors to experience social and cultural aspects of rural life. These venues also provide areas for live demonstrations and workshops by artisans.

Interesting facts about National Handicrafts and Handlooms Museum

• The Crafts Museum exhibits part of its permanent collection in the galleries of Bhuta Sculpture Gallery, Tribal and Folk Art, Ritual Crafts Gallery, Court Crafts and Textiles Gallery.
• Some of its prized collections include the 250-300-year-old Bhoot collection from Karnataka, the rare 300-year-old Kashmiri 'Dushala', Chamba handkerchiefs known for their unique embroideries, rare brocades and Baluchari sarees.
• Today the museum houses over 35,000 rare and distinctive pieces that reflect the continuing tradition of Indian artisans through various crafts of painting, embroidery, textiles, clay, stone and wood.
• All of these are housed in a building designed by architect Charles Correa between 1975 and 1990.

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