Edupreneur Aisshwarya DKS Hegde guest of honour

Mysuru: Mysuru-Kodagu MP and Titular Head of Mysore Royal Family Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar will inaugurate Meghdhanush — Vastrabharana-2026, a spectrum of India’s saree textiles and jewellery at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Kumara Krupa Road, Bengaluru, on Oct.1 at 10.15 am.

Aisshwarya DKS Hegde, an edupreneur passionate about education, empowerment and entrepreneurship, will be the guest of honour at the 5-day event organised by Crafts Council of Karnataka (CCK), from Oct. 1 to 5. Vastrabharana-2026 will be open to visitors from 10 am to 7.30 pm on all days.

The CCK is a non-profit organisation established in Bengaluru in 1967 under the patronage of Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay. Its work focuses on promoting Karnataka’s crafts and supporting the livelihoods of craftspeople.

Convenor Susheela Mehta says: “For those planning a festive-season visit to Bengaluru, Vastrabharana offers an opportunity to encounter India’s living craft heritage under one roof.”

Inspired by the rainbow, Meghdhanush explores colour through the textiles, techniques and skilled hands that bring craft traditions to life. The expo brings together 60 curated labels and a wide-ranging selection of master artisans, revivalists and design practitioners from across India.

Co-Convenor Poorvi Patel adds: “Visitors can discover textile traditions including Chikankari, Ajrakh, Bagh printing, Kantha, Muga Silk, Kotpad, Molakalmuru, Ilkal, Khunn, Paithani, Banarasi, Chanderi, Maheshwari and Kanjivaram. The edit includes distinctive practitioners from a twelfth-generation Ajrakh printer to a UNESCO-awarded Bagh printer, Padma Shri Awardee, National Award winners  and makers carrying regional traditions forward.”

Dedicated Jewellery Pavilion, presented for the first time at Vastrabharana, extends spectrum into adornment. Its curated selection includes South Indian jewellery traditions, royal Jadau from Jaipur, vintage silver, heirloom edits, antique jewels, coloured & lab-grown diamonds & contemporary interpretations.

CCK Chairperson Chandra Jain says: “We want visitors to experience not just colour and beauty, but the knowledge, skill and stories behind every textile and every artisan.”

Committee Member Shubha Sanjay Urs says, Vastrabharana’s proceeds will benefit craft communities in Karnataka.