Centuries-old Mansoori craftsmanship celebrates legacy and skill

New Delhi: The Rajasthan Pavilion at IITF 2025 has become a major crowd-puller, with Jaipuri quilts standing out for their feather-light craftsmanship and superior comfort.

The pavilion showcases an extensive range of traditional Rajasthani quilts. Abdul Rauf, who runs one of the quilt stalls, shared that the 100-gram Jaipuri quilts have become a major crowd-puller. He explained that quilt-making is a hereditary craft of the Mansoori community, practiced for the past seven to eight generations. From elderly family members to the women of the household, everyone contributes to this intricate process.

According to Rauf, the Mansoori artisans of Jaipur specialise in winter essentials, but quilt-making remains their most distinguished skill. Their expertise in producing high-quality quilts for daily winter use has earned them a unique identity. The quilts are available in modern, fashionable designs as well as traditional Rajasthani patterns, making them highly popular among buyers. They are offered in various sizes and shapes, priced between ₹500 and ₹5,000.

Mohammad Husaif added that, along with quilts, cotton-filled jackets are also being sold at the stall, priced between ₹800 and ₹2,000.

Women From Self-Help Groups Shine as Symbols of Self-Reliance at the Rajasthan Pavilion

Rajasthan has carved out a distinct identity at IITF 2025 by highlighting its achievements in women’s empowerment. The pavilion not only showcases the state’s rich handicraft heritage, folk traditions and rural economy but also puts the spotlight on the growing role of women in these sectors.

For many years, Rajasthan has been making notable progress in women-led entrepreneurship, self-reliance and collective financial empowerment. The Self-Help Group (SHG) model promoted by the state government—along with skill development programmes and efforts to revive craft-based rural enterprises—has strengthened thousands of women economically.

Visitors can witness this transformation firsthand at the pavilion, where stalls led by women entrepreneurs illustrate Rajasthan’s journey from local craft to national markets. Their participation stands as a proud reflection of the state’s success in creating sustainable livelihood avenues for women.