Rajasthan Shilp Gram Udyog

Rajasthan Shilp Gram Udyog is positioned up by the Amer Jaigarh Fort. It is a location that feels very different from the crowded markets down in the city. Up here, the air is a bit thinner and you can see the old stone walls of the fort stretching out. We work in a space that focuses on traditional crafts made by local hands. The shop has a bit of a rustic feel to it, with stone floors and thick walls that keep the heat out during the summer months. We see a lot of tourists who are tired from walking up the hills, so they often stop in just to catch their breath. Our days are spent showing people how the different items are made and explaining the patterns. There are a lot of textiles and handmade goods piled up on the wooden tables. The atmosphere is usually quite calm, though it gets busy when a big tour bus arrives. We spend our time checking the inventory and making sure the local artisans get their work displayed properly. It is a long way from the main parts of Jaipur, so we have to bring in our supplies carefully. The view from near the shop is pretty incredible, looking down over the valley. We are just a small group of people trying to keep these old ways of making things going in a place that has so much history.