National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy – Lota Shop

The National Crafts Museum and Hastkala Academy, located at Bhairon Marg near Pragati Maidan in New Delhi, is India’s most significant institution for the preservation, documentation, and promotion of India’s traditional craft heritage. Established in the 1950s under the guidance of the legendary freedom fighter and craft patron Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, the museum now houses over 35,000 rare and extraordinary artefacts representing the full spectrum of Indian artisan traditions, from tribal pottery and terracotta figurines to intricate Mughal court textiles, carved ivory, bidriware, bronze sculptures, and folk paintings. The museum’s iconic building was designed by the renowned architect Charles Correa. The Lota Shop, the museum’s dedicated retail outlet, offers visitors a curated selection of authentic handcrafted Indian products made by master artisans, including handwoven textiles, handcrafted jewellery, terracotta and ceramic products, wooden toys and sculptures, natural fibre baskets, and craft publications. The museum also features a village complex with 15 state-specific structures and a live craft demonstration area where artisans from across India work in residence and sell their crafts directly to visitors. The Hastkala Academy attached to the museum conducts research and skill development programmes for craftspeople nationwide.