The Museum of Digital Society: A Living Archive of Digital Inclusion
The SWRC-Barefoot College began its work with crafts in 1974, aiming to integrate traditional crafts into broader community development initiatives. Over time, the craft section of Barefoot College evolved, and in 1992, it became Hatheli Sansthan, an independent registered non-profit society. Their legacy can be traced back to the first Tilonia Bazaar, which was held in 1975 at Triveni Kala Sangam in Delhi. This event, encouraged by notable figures such as Kamaladevi Chattopadhyaya, Pupul Jayakar, and Shona Ray, was pivotal in bringing rural crafts into the spotlight.
Tilonia Bazaar was among the first initiatives that connected rural crafts to urban markets in India. This innovative concept allowed artisans from remote areas to showcase their work in urban settings, helping to establish craft as an essential component of community development. The success of Tilonia Bazaar demonstrated the potential of rural crafts to contribute to economic growth and cultural preservation. Today, the concept of the ‘Bazaar’ or haat has become widespread, providing alternative markets for millions of craftspeople across India.
Hatheli Sansthan continues to build on this legacy, working closely with artisans to preserve traditional crafts and provide sustainable livelihoods. In recent years, Hatheli Sansthan has embraced digital platforms to further expand its reach. Hatheli Sansthan does capacity building, market linkages and leverages social media tools to ensure that their artisans can get the support that is required to become sustainable and connect with audiences beyond India’s borders. For this, Digital Artisans of India Award 2023-24, Hatheli Sansthan was recognised with the Social Enterprise Award for their efforts and model of artisan upliftment.
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