New Delhi, Sep 15 (PTI) From exquisite Rashti embroidery works by a recognised Iranian artist to freshly brewed native coffee offered by an Ethiopian participant, the carefully curated BRICS Bazaar in Delhi drew a large number of visitors on its last day on Tuesday.
The BRICS Bazaar was set up on the premises of the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy, adjacent to the Bharat Mandapam complex here, which hosted the BRICS Summit on Saturday and Sunday.
Some people had taken a day off from work, and others had come from far-off places in the capital city to visit the craft bazaar that ran from September 10-15.
The bazaar was visited by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s daughter Zahra Pezeshkian on September 12 amid tight security, besides some other high-profile guests. It was opened to the general public on Monday, and was thronged by visitors till it closed on Tuesday evening.
Iran’s stall featured two artisans — Nadia Karimi, a native of Zahedan city, who focuses on preserving and developing the traditional art of Balochi embroidery; and Ameneh Sedighi, who works to promote and develop the traditional sewing heritage of Gilan — and drew sizeable visitors.
Karimi’s ties for men or belts and earrings for women, bearing Balochi handcrafted design, drew appreciation for the craftsmanship, while Sedighi’s embroidery works looked simply exquisite.
Sedighi, from northern region of Iran, who speaks Persian, used an internet-based AI platform to seamlessly interact with visitors, demonstrating how advanced technology can help overcome language constraint.
“I started learning traditional embroidery when I was 20 years old. I have been teaching traditional Iranian embroidery for 30 years,” she told PTI.
Sedighi’s main practice is needlework with embroidery, specifically mirror work and chain stitch on cotton. Her work promotes and develops the traditional sewing heritage of Gilan, particularly Rashti embroidery and local clothing, and adapts traditional embroidery for contemporary products.
“The BRICS Bazaar celebrates the diverse cultures and creative spirit of the BRICS community. Bringing together artisans, designers and creative enterprises from Member and Partner Countries, the Bazaar offers authentic crafts, handlooms, textiles, artworks and more,” according to the official website of BRICS 2026.
It featured artisans and craftspersons from various member countries, including India, as well as partner countries of the grouping (total 18 countries), represented at the bazaar.
From Brazilian clay art, one of the Americas’ oldest living traditions, to the traditional folk craft of willow weaving in Belarus, the heritage bazaar showcased the cultural heritage of member and partner countries of the grouping.
Textile-based banners put up at the venue added to the charm of the event.
Cleziania Ribeiro de Lima Paiva, a ceramic artisan and sculptor from Goiás, Brazil, interacted with PTI before packing her wares for transportation.
“I was very happy to stay in India for the past few days and experience the rich culture here. It has been a wonderful experience,” she said.
Her relationship with clay began in childhood, watching her mother make clay utensils. Around age 11, she began shaping her own figures and scenes from everyday life. What started as childhood experimentation gradually grew into an artistic practice that she continues to develop, according to the website.
Cleziania works primarily by transforming organic clay into figurative and decorative sculptures.
At the Ethiopian stall, Ejigayehu Hailegiorgis and Meaza Asegid Assefa presented their works, while Feven Merid, an Ethiopian woman based in India who can speak fluent Hindi, drew a large crowd.
Hailegiorgis is a pioneering fashion designer, entrepreneur and founder of Ejig Tibeb. As one of the trailblazers for women in Ethiopian fashion, she also co-founded the Ethiopian Fashion Designers Association. Asegid is an artisan who creates handmade clay crafts rooted in a generational tradition.
Noida-based Reetu Mourya, who works in digital marketing, said she took a day off on Tuesday just to visit the bazaar.
“I wanted to talk to the artisans, know about their culture, and it felt like I have visited so many countries all at one place in Delhi. I also took selfies with artisans,” she told PTI.
However, some rued missing it as they came past 6 pm on Tuesday.
Anushka Sharma, 20, a law student, based in Delhi, said, “I had heard so much about it through Instagram, but I came late and missed it. It was a very good initiative to showcase BRICS countries’ arts and crafts at the Crafts Museum, which I have otherwise visited it before.” PTI KND SKY SKY
This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.