The Shilp Samagam Mela 2026, being organised by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi, is bringing together India's rich artistic traditions, traditional craftsmanship and cultural diversity on a common platform.
Alongside showcasing handicrafts, handloom products and indigenous art forms, the 15-day Mela is emerging as a vibrant celebration of India's inclusive participation.
Organised around the theme ‘प्रकाश और परंपरा – ज्योति से ज्योति जलाएँ’, the Mela celebrates India's traditional crafts, festive lighting and cultural heritage.
The Mela has been curated around seven thematic zones, each offering a distinctive experience showcasing India's crafts, traditions, food and cultural expressions. कला आँगन features live craft demonstrations; प्रकाश चौक showcases lamps and lights; पूजा पथ presents devotional products; सजावट बाज़ार focuses on home décor; घराना features textiles and fashion; स्वाद चौक offers food; and मंच hosts cultural activities and performances.
The Ministry has been organising Shilp Samagam Melas since 2022. Through 15 such fairs, more than 1,000 artisans from Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes and Safai Karamcharis have benefited from opportunities to exhibit and market their products.
After inauguration of the Mela on Monday evening, the Hon'ble Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, visited the stalls and interacted with stall managers and visitors, taking keen interest in the products and traditional crafts on display.
The Minister’s interaction with the participating artisans provided an opportunity to appreciate their creativity, skills and entrepreneurial efforts.
Dr Kumar’s visit also highlighted the importance of providing artisans from various communities with financial constraints, with platforms to showcase their products, connect with consumers and expand their livelihood opportunities.
A special attraction of the Mela is the series of cultural activities and programmes organised during the evening hours, where artists and performers from different States come together to present their respective art forms and cultural traditions.
The visitors are mesmerized with the cultural programmes wherein artists and performers present their colourful cultural presentations.
Through music, dance and other artistic performances, these programmes offer visitors an opportunity to experience the diverse cultural expressions of different regions of the country on one platform.
The evening programmes provide a common stage for artists from different parts of India to share their artistic heritage, celebrate regional identities and promote cultural exchange.
These performances add to the festive atmosphere of the Mela while highlighting the richness and diversity of India's traditional and contemporary cultural expressions.
The Mela brings together traditional craftsmanship, handloom products, live craft demonstrations and cultural performances, while promoting entrepreneurship, livelihood generation and inclusive participation.
The Mela features more than 130 stalls showcasing handicrafts, handloom products and creative works by artisans and beneficiaries belonging to Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Safai Karamcharis and persons with disabilities.
A key component of the Mela is Bharat TULIP, which seeks to connect artisans with wider markets through e-commerce platforms, enabling them to expand their reach and strengthen their economic opportunities. The initiative also contributes to preserving India's traditional arts and crafts by providing artisans with greater visibility and access to consumers.
Through Purple Fest, the Mela further celebrates the creativity, abilities and contributions of persons with disabilities, encouraging equal opportunities, participation and inclusion in society.
The participating beneficiaries are supported by the National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), National Backward Classes Finance and Development Corporation (NBCFDC), National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC) and National Divyangjan Finance and Development Corporation (NDFDC). They are being provided free stalls along with facilities such as travel expenses, daily allowance and transportation of goods to facilitate their participation.
Through this initiative, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment continues its efforts to strengthen livelihood opportunities, promote traditional craftsmanship, encourage entrepreneurship and foster inclusive economic growth while celebrating India's rich cultural heritage.
The Mela invites visitors to explore India's traditional crafts, support artisan communities and experience the country's vibrant cultural diversity through its art, craftsmanship, music and performances.
The Shilp Samagam Mela 2026 will remain open to visitors at Dilli Haat, INA, New Delhi, until November 15, 2026.