Rannshetra

The magic is everywhere—in the stark land, the breathtaking sunset over the salt marshes, the hardworking people, and in the art and craft they create. The Great Rann of Kutch in Gujarat has probably earned the adjective to its name.

- Archana Thiyagarajan

The image of a vibrant Kutch, in the AR Rahman song “Maa Tujhe Salaam,” is one of the distinct memories for everyone who grew up in the ‘90s. That was my first image of Kutch. The landscape, the clothes, the faces—they were all so fascinating to me at the time. Now, coming and experiencing this region firsthand, I find that Kutch is more than just the images we see. The terrain, the people, and the art, are all multi-layered and woven into the rich fabric of the land.

I don’t remember walking out of anybody’s house without being offered tea. The people were kind, irrespective of whether you gave them business or not. They are a people proud of their craft. They have so many unique art and craft forms here, it’ll leave you baffled.

My stand-out memory from my stay in this region is walking through the tiny alleys of a village called Nirona and meeting three brilliant artist families with their own unique art forms, followed by the best meal of the trip at a small village home which served lunch for tourists. I am told there are many such villages here, each with its own unique art. Even the ancient doorways with cobwebs on them speak of an aesthetic sense that’s intricate and beautiful.

The history of this land and its people is fascinating. There are the pre-Partition connections, the family ties that bind across the border, the beautiful songs in Sindhi, the geography of the land dramatically changed over time. The region, largely untouched by modernisation, is still so raw that you could be lost in a time-warp.

Art & Craft