The Crafts Council of Karnataka’s five-day celebration at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath will feature traditional crafts, creative workshops and Diwali storytelling, with free entry for visitors.
A diya shaped by hand, a carefully woven textile or a painted lantern carries something beyond its festive purpose: the skill of its maker and a tradition passed between generations. This November, Bengaluru will have an opportunity to discover those connections at Kuteera 2026 – Diwali Mela, presented by the Crafts Council of Karnataka at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath from 1 to 5 November 2026.
Open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, the five-day mela will bring together India’s diverse handmade traditions with workshops, storytelling and an exploration of the customs associated with Diwali. Entry is free, making it an accessible festive outing for families, craft enthusiasts and visitors looking for handcrafted additions to their homes.
Kuteera 2026 Diwali Mela Puts Artisans at the Centre
Organised under the leadership of Crafts Council of Karnataka Chairperson Chandra Jain, with Revathi Prasad as Exhibition Convener, Kuteera places artisans and their work at the centre of the celebration. Alongside the opportunity to shop, visitors will be encouraged to consider the people, materials and knowledge behind the objects they choose.
“The Crafts Council of Karnataka is committed to promoting and preserving India’s craft heritage while supporting the artisans who keep these traditions alive,” says Chandra Jain. “Kuteera has long served as a platform to showcase their work, and this year, it brings crafts, culture and the stories of Diwali together.”
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Handmade Crafts for Diwali Shopping in Bengaluru
The range of crafts will reflect the breadth of India’s handmade heritage. Intricate wood carving, leather puppetry and traditional embroidery will feature alongside handloom textiles, tribal jewellery, pottery, folk paintings, natural fibre crafts and metalwork. Together, these forms offer different expressions of regional identity, from the way a material is worked to the motifs and techniques that distinguish a maker’s practice.
For visitors planning their Diwali shopping in Bengaluru, the mela offers an opportunity to approach festive purchases more thoughtfully. A handcrafted object can become part of a household’s celebrations over many years, while its purchase supports the livelihoods connected to its making. Kuteera’s emphasis on handmade, sustainable and mindful celebration invites visitors to look beyond appearance and appreciate the work an object holds.
“Kuteera celebrates India’s rich cultural heritage, the timeless beauty of its traditions and the creativity of its artisans,” says Exhibition Convener Revathi Prasad. “This Diwali, we invite everyone to experience the joy of craft and culture, while supporting the hands that keep our traditions alive.”
Creative Workshops and Diwali Storytelling
Visitors will also be able to participate in activities that bring them closer to the creative process. The workshop line-up includes diya making and painting, palm-leaf folding and paper lantern making. These sessions will offer opportunities to engage with materials and techniques, adding a participatory element to the exhibition.
Storytelling will be another significant part of the Kuteera 2026 Diwali Mela. Geeta Ramanujam and the Kathalaya team will conduct sessions across all five days, sharing the many stories associated with Diwali. Intended for audiences of different ages, the sessions will explore a festival whose narratives and customs vary across regions, even as ideas of light, hope and renewal connect them.
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This attention to regional traditions gives the mela a cultural dimension beyond festive shopping. Diwali is observed through different household rituals, community practices and stories across India. By bringing some of these narratives into a shared space, Kuteera invites visitors to encounter familiar celebrations from another perspective.
A prominent installation will depict Dhanvantari and the story of his emergence during Samudra Manthan. According to the organisers, the display will also explore the Ayurvedic associations of the traditional oil-bath ritual, placing this aspect of festive observance within the mela’s wider presentation of Diwali customs and storytelling.
Through its combination of craft displays, hands-on activities and cultural narratives, Kuteera offers Bengaluru an occasion to spend time with the traditions that shape the festive season. The invitation is as much to discover and appreciate as it is to take something home.
Kuteera 2026: Dates, Timings, Venue and Entry
Kuteera 2026 – Diwali Mela will take place at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Bengaluru, from 1 to 5 November 2026, between 11 a.m. and 9 p.m. daily. Entry is free. For general enquiries, contact 080 23462520 or 9620235041, or email craftscouncilofkarnataka@yahoo.in.
Find the Crafts Council of Karnataka’s official contact listing through the Crafts Council of India.
