Rajasthan Tourism, UNESCO adopt ‘Art of Life’ to develop cultural tourism hubs

Now, under the ambit of Cultural Tourism, the art for life links culture with skilling, enterprises, and economic development. With an aim to tap the potential of Rajasthan’s cultural heritage, the state Tourism department has tied up with UNESCO and implemented a project. Around 10 cultural tourism hubs are being developed in Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Barmer districts. The tourism hubs are being developed by adopting the ‘Art of Life’ methodology. The project is adding prosperity to the life of 884 performing artists and 594 handicraft artists and safeguarding the traditional art forms. In an effort to support heritage education and cultural enterprises, an ecosystem is being developed through capacity building and facilitating direct market linkages for the folk artists and craftspersons. Songs of Langas, Manganiyars, Mirs, Kalbelia song and dance, Puppetry, Pottery, Handloom, Durrie, Jutti, Kasidakari embroidery, Applique work, and other crafts that were once part of the day-to-day life of local folks have now become limited to few families that carry on the tradition. These art forms, however, charm the visitors as much as the royal palaces and majestic forts. The UNESCO and Rajasthan Tourism collaboration envisions to promote these arts on a global platform and connect the artists with admirers of their work, the Tourism Department said in a statement.