Kutch is a rough diamond, its many sides, a multitude of artisans each a geometric perfection of the earth.” says Sohail Abdul Satar Khatri, traditional Bandhani 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.