Kutch District

Photo Gallery Credit Hunnar Shaala Kutch is a rough diamond, its many sides, a multitude of artisans each a geometric perfection of the earth.” says vankar premji velji, traditional handloom artisan from Kutch. Kutch an ethnic web of inter-woven cultures, manifested flamboyantly in her colorfully vibrant art and craft heritage. This cultural mix plays host to a thriving exposition of textiles, ornaments, living style, eulogized within a contemporary framework. In the year 2002,this district suffered a divastating earthquake,whose results were felt across the state and country.Because of its unique topography,it lies in a highly Seismic Zone.The entire district was devastated and most towns and villages completely destroyed.The figures for human life were appaling.Yet,due to the concentrated efforts of the Gujarat Government,non resident Kutchis and various Aid Agencies,kutch is back on track and apart from industries and ports being developed,the Art and Craft Sector is thriving,eager to show that calamities may come and go, but human inguenity will continue to survive and the district is vibrantly welcoming a wide variety of tourists.  It is the western most region of the country sharing a long border with Pakistan, taking its name from the legendary tortoise or Kachua in the Vedic myth of the ocean churning. The multifarious coastal topography has cast a direct influence on the hinterland. The biodiversity of the region is exemplary, salt plains and scrub desert vie for space with rich grasslands and mangrove watered coral reefs. This geographical diversity finds a ready partnership in the cultural and folk diverseness of the varied communities of people inhabiting this territory. Centuries of migrations by different peoples and their absorption and amalgamation have culturally enriched the design perceptions of its colorfully vibrant Art and Craft forms. The region enjoys close cultural ties to Sindh and is home to a variety of pastoral and semi-nomadic communities, which has generated a marked influence in the design traditions of this region. District Administrative Headquarter Bhuj city is the Administrative Headquarter of the District.  Talukas of the District Kachchh, Lakhpat, Rapar, Bhachau, Bhuj, Nakhatrana, Abadasa, Mandvi, Anjar, Gandhidham, Mundra Neighboring Districts or States East- Patan and Banaskantha Districts West- International Border with Pakistan North- Rajasthan state South- Rajkot and Surendranagar Districts, Gulf of Kutch Traditional Trivia The design diversity in the Kutch artisan is continuously renewed by his ability to absorb and consistently evolve many faceted planes of creativity. Variations arising out of geographical conditions has made Kutch a unique landscape. The cross cultural influence of Sindh coupled with a long coastline blessed with maritime trade and a virtual isolation from the subcontinent due to the Rann resulted in a curiously diverse influence on the creativity of artisans. Though geographically isolated, Kutch has been open to a cross cultural influence on its traditions and values. Kutch’s rich hegemony is illustrated through civilizations on the banks of the Indus to four centuries of Rajput rule dovetailing into its amalgamation within a modern India. An ocean of external influences by way of trade, incursions, conquests and migrations have created a craft history of vibrant colors and forms coupled with a variety of creative techniques. From the bounties of the earth, the Kutch artisans created objects of need and value embellishing them with a talent born out of centuries of artistic perception. This has been enmeshed with a personal familiarity with the client and his needs. Distinct design variations in motifs, patterns, color and form served as markers defining the diversity in the communities while establishing a visual identity for them. The fabric of Kutch art and craft is embedded in social need and is now expanding its spheres into the design sensibility of the contemporary world.