Nita Ambani, Isha Ambani and Hillary Clinton visit Udaipur's Swadesh Bazaar as part of pre-wedding functions

The Swadesh Bazaar in Rajasthan's Udaipur had a special visitor on Sunday -- former US first lady Hillary Clinton. As part of the pre-wedding functions, bride-to-be Isha Ambani, her mother Nita Ambani and Hillary Clinton visited the Swadesh Bazaar.

An initiative of Reliance Foundation, chaired by Nita Ambani, Swadesh Bazaar is a curated showcase of 108 traditional Indian crafts and art forms, that were on display for the national and international guests attending the pre-wedding functions.

Isha Ambani is getting married to Anand Piramal on December 12.

Swadesh Bazaar is an initiative to encourage the craftsmanship of traditional artisans, especially for a lot of indigenous crafts that need conservation and revival.

The whole exhibit created an interesting experience as also an immersion into India’s cultural heritage for the national and international guests, comprising of connoisseurs and several influential leaders from the world of business, arts and different walks of life.

Artisan families, master craftsmen and craftswomen showcased their indigenous technique and products of weaving like Jamdani from West Bengal; Patola from Gujarat; Pashmina Kani from Kashmir; Kota Weaving, Chanderi weaving and Maheshwari from Madhya Pradesh; Mekhla Chador of Assam among several others.

Showcasing some very intricate hand embroidery artists of Kantha from West Bengal; Chamba Rumal from Himachal Pradesh; Sujuni embroidery from Bihar; Gara Embroidery of the Parsi community; Crochet; Kashidakari from Kashmir; Embroideries of Kuchch; Phulkari from Punjab and Gota Patti from Rajasthan. 

From the world-renowned Kanjeevaram, Chkankari, Bandhej and Leheriya; there were exhibits of the popularity-gaining printed fabrics of Bagru Dabu, Bagh, Kalamkari and Ajrak.

The initiative is aimed at not only providing livelihoods to thousands of artisans but also in giving them an opportunity to showcase rare works from every nook and corner of India, for people’s interest, appreciation and support.