Shilpgram Fair is a grand 10-day fair which is organised every year in Udaipur city in the western Indian state of Rajasthan, and exhibits the indigenous arts, culture and heritage of Rajasthan. A large variety of regional handicrafts, mirror crafts, embroideries and woven garments are displayed and sold in this beautiful fair or `mela`. Attractive items composed of camel leather are also available in this festive event. Besides Rajasthan, this fair also portrays the artistic traditions of different portions of the country, within 70 acres. Shilpgram Fair comprises about 26 states representing the village craft, which utilize traditional architectural characteristics belonging to numerous ethnic groups dwelling there. It is held in the period around November to December.
The urban potters and visual artists are motivated to showcase their unique crafts in the Shilpgram Fair and many workshops are conducted at this fair which imparts lessons in preparing the various handicrafts found here. The daily lifestyle of the local artisans and weavers is depicted through several of the sketches and paintings exhibited in the stalls at this fair. A programme called `Shilpdarshan` is arranged inside the Shilpgram Fair to spread awareness about the circumstances of the craftsmen and artists.
Shilpgram Fair was initially organised to motivate the growth of cottage industry of the state of Rajasthan. Through this fair, the poverty-stricken artists of Rajasthan are offered a chance to display their artefacts and sell their wares to national as well as international tourists. Visitors to the fair would be welcomed by musicians and dancers who perform their styles of entertainment. Different woollen costumes from Jammu and Kashmir, reputed Banarasi silk sarees, bamboo artwork belonging to far-eastern states of India, hand-made bangles, chains, furniture and pottery crafts, etc. can be noticed in the Shilpgram Fair.
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