Karigar Mela, Amazon India’s bi-annual celebration of traditional craftsmanship, returns with its 2024 edition, themed ‘Thriving Sustainability with Handmade.’ The event scheduled on April 11, 2024 aims to honour India’s diverse crafts and artisans and showcase their remarkable dedication to promoting sustainability, eco-friendly materials, and recycling techniques within the handmade industry. The Mela provides a platform for artisans to reach a wider audience this year, with over 2000 sellers showcasing a diverse range of over 2 lakh products. This extensive selection fosters a deeper appreciation for handmade goods and the rich cultural heritage of India, ensuring that traditional craftsmanship continues to thrive sustainably.

With the support of Government and Social Enterprise Partners such as NRLM, NULM, GAME, Deasra, etc., Karigar Mela encourages artisans to utilize natural and eco-friendly materials, prioritize local production, and champion livelihoods within artisan communities. The focus is on using renewable and biodegradable materials such as cotton, wool, linen, and silk, grown or harvested without harmful chemicals. By using these materials, artisans uphold centuries-old traditions and contribute to environmental conservation and social welfare.

On this occasion, Mr. Gaurav Bhatnagar, Head of Seller Acquisition and Development at Amazon India, said, ” We are deeply committed to empowering the skilled artisans of India, who are the custodians of our nation’s rich cultural heritage. Karigar Mela is a testament to our unwavering support for these talented artisans, providing them with a platform to showcase their exceptional craftsmanship to a global audience. We firmly believe that by fostering an ecosystem that enables artisans to thrive, we can contribute to the preservation of our cultural identity while promoting sustainable livelihoods and economic growth”

Launched in 2017, the Amazon Karigar program enables small businesses and specialized micro-entrepreneurs like weavers, artisans, and artisans to benefit from e-commerce, grow their businesses, and, in many cases, revive some dying art forms from the country. Today, Amazon Karigar impacts over 1.8 MM (18 lakh) artisans with a selection of over 200K (2 lakh) unique handmade products across handloom, handicraft, hand-processed beauty & gourmet products, including 470+ unique arts and crafts from across the country.