Meet the Artist (MTA) is a permanent in-house program of JDCA, where invited artists, craft persons or scholars through their illustrated presentations create an appreciation of all forms of visual art. 

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Since 2001, 247 such MTAs have taken place on the second Saturday of every month. Currently, our session is in collaboration with the India International Centre, New Delhi and are online. 

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248 Meet the Artist Programme

Chairperson of DASTKAR and craft designer

Laila Tyabji
on: A Crafted Journey 
at 6 pm, Saturday, 11 September 2021

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Laila Tyabji
Laila Tyabji is a craft designer, writer, and Chairperson of DASTKAR, the craft NGO she helped found. Laila has been working with grassroots artisans all over India for over four decades. Many of her most rewarding projects involve creating new livelihood avenues through crafts for pastoral & marginalised rural communities - bonded labour in Bihar, displaced villages in Ranthambhore, tribals in Orissa, victims of insurgency in Kashmir... Laila studied art in Baroda & Japan, & has worked as a freelance designer in textiles, graphics, interiors, and the theatre. She enjoys using craft traditions and techniques in unexpected ways and contexts. She writes regularly on craft, design, development and social issues. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Padma Shri in 2012 for her work in the craft sector and was the first Asian to receive the AID TO ARTISANS Preservation of Craft Award in New York in 2003.

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