A vibrant festival of handmade wonders at Dhaka Makers 3

Dhaka Makers 3 is back with canvas paintings, local art and craft, and cinematic takes on our hectic lives. Upon entering Aloki, it would feel like a food festival with people wearing comfortable sarees from Khut, hanging out and eating off the platters offered by Aloki Catering, Jatra Biroti, Tabaq Coffee, Pizza Da Wali, Smashed Burgers, Couch Potato offering their delectable display of food items that do not require breakfast, lunch or dinner norms follow-up.

Nazm Anwar, flautist of Kaaktaal, a contemporary Bangladeshi musical entity, started his weekend at Aloki, currently holding the third return of Dhaka Makers, asked with a joyful smile, “Kothay jeno last dekha hoyechilo?” (“Where did we meet last time?”). He sells calligraphy, and modern miniature letters custom-produced for buyers. Beside him were indie startups and brands like Redpencil, selling handcrafted, beaded jewellery, and Pastel Homes selling cans, pots, and layouts done in pastel floral shades that will give a home no less vibes of living in a house of Claude Monet paintings. What is it like to experience Mela in the time of winter with all your favourite eye-candy restaurants under one roof and an array of indie startups selling you the most likable kind of artistic products like rickshaw print tote bags, custom calligraphy, card games, handcrafted showpieces that will like to make your drawing room one-of-a-kind? Like so many of us, the need to organise something nodding with the Bangladeshi roots yet youthfully engaging was realised by Dhaka Makers. The result is: Dhaka Makers 3 currently happening in Aloki, Tejgaon Gulshan Link Road, Dhaka that started from January 30 and will continue till February 03.

The joyous occasion is in literal terms, a procession of celebrating traditional, pop culture-inspired, and native Bangladeshi craftsmanship from all walks of life. Age knows no bounds and the participation of elderly citizens to teenagers in the event makes it all the more worthwhile as a celebration of the juvenile colours of life. Long forgotten are the days of Poush Parbon or fairs held particularly in winter. The vibe spreading off Dhaka Makers 3 is quintessential of a fair, similar to celebrating the 'Poush Mela' that disappeared from our existence.

'The event does not allow anything rude or disrespectful but wants to consolidate the respect we need to have towards craftsmanship', says a volunteer working at the event at Aloki Dhaka.

Upon entering Aloki's hall room, one will see Shekor laying out its exquisite set of lamps, and lighting aids, made from contemporary art and vision. Anyone interested to know about the lives of hand craftsmen living in discrepant parts of the country will realise that the artists of our country live lives we barely know of. Palanquins made from a soft 'shola' kaath or shola wood that gets collected from the mangrove forest Sundarban, tepa putul (earthen play dolls made by pressing the clay with hands), beder meye ( daughter of a snake breeder), poramatir shilpo (The arts of terracotta) stole the limelights. Terracotta toy makers from Kishoreganj belong to a legacy age-old and Dhaka Makers event celebrates the initiative of UNESCO at the Paharpur Ruins of Buddhist Vihara and equipped artisans with training sessions to revive the art of terracotta plaque-making.

Artisans like Sunil Pal, Gopendro Nath, and Ashutosh Sutrodhhar's works were put on display. Interestingly, jhools, a kind of wall-decorating object) made from a perspective of sustainability, was part of the display. The products laid out by Concrete & Beyond spoke on equal terms, celebrating the tales of terracotta.

The demand for handcrafted notebooks seems to be ever increasing. Hair Clips, and notebooks, offered by Shabana and Dhaka Yeah laying out its miniature paintings, art sets, and notebooks, brought a breath of fresh air to the selling points of Aloki. Printed and embroidered home linen products are a substantial part of Dhaka Makers 3's display.

SEVEN DAYS NOTES had covers of notebooks inspired by popular ads that enthral us to date. Efforts made by Boyon Bitan, a brand selling patchwork clothing items, focused on sustainable clothing and jute rugs for their display structure. Aureum, a textile-based brand offering floral table runners, lilly mat sets, and napkins in earthy hues like beige, khaki, soft yellowish brown, and cream, reminds finding breathability, pastel shades even in the products used to make our abodes prepared for comfortable living.

Among other elements, a collection of soaps offered by LEBAR Soapery, and jewellery by So Called Artist added to the buzz. Playground Inc. put forth its grand display of contemporary board games. 'We came to Makers to remind the forgotten world of playful indoor games and making interior timing more enjoyable,' said its representative.

The art exhibition in Aloki's level 2 gallery had a contemporary glimmer to offer from artists of all genres. A muted, gravitational setup in the gallery spread an aura of eerieness. The artworks hanging by the walls reminded the joys of the past such as cartoon representation of Kill Bill, Kolshi Kakhe Nari (Woman carrying water pots by her cradle), Drawings based on line, shape and mediums such as Foresight Behind the Bars - 01, flower vase, animalistic representation of recent political events and cinemas like Pulp Fiction, Jango, Once Upon A Time in Hollywood made into display items, artworks, custom canvas items grabbed the attraction instantly upon entrance into the gallery on the second day of Dhaka Makers 3.

Nature Design Studio had a corner booked for displaying their signature shrubs curated to cater to the visitors and help them understand the transformative power plants possess to turn an interior into an upgrade. Their workshop on Terrarium in Dhaka Makers 3 took place on the opening day of the event.

Jtara had a unique offering. It has its five-day-long activity running that lists Alpona, recycled craft, body painting performance, rickshaw art. tapestry making performance, folk painting, lathi khela, flute performance, and shadhu shongo. Dhaka Makers 3 workshops are diverse and filled with regard for supporting art and craft. Sabyasachi Hazra and Nazm Anwar's calligraphy workshops, Nakshi Kantha-centred sessions, composition and illustration-based workshops, wood crafting, floral art design, screen printing and tapestry discussions are parts of the line-up.

The third return of Dhaka Makers at Aloki indicates one thing more, celebrating feasible, breathable, and sustainable products that celebrate our culture. The celebration is juvenile and an ode to our history, tradition, and artisans.

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