Tag: Traditional Crafts

Events in Goa

Goa Food & Cultural Festival 2026 Opens in Margao, Celebrating Goa’s Culinary Heritage and Cultural Diversity

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Margao, January 23, 2026: The Margao Cricket Club at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Stadium came alive on Thursday evening as the Goa Food & Cultural Festival 2026 commenced, marking the beginning of a three-day celebration dedicated to Goa’s rich culinary heritage and diverse cultural traditions. The festival brings together authentic flavours, traditional art forms and contemporary performances, offering a shared cultural experience for residents and visitors alike.


The festival was inaugurated in the presence of Minister for Tourism Rohan A. Khaunte; Minister for PWD and Captain of Ports Digambar Kamat; Chairman, Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) Kedar J. Naik; MLA of Navelim Constituency Ulhas Tuenkar; Chairperson of Margao Municipal Council Damodar Shirodkar; Director of Tourism Kedar Naik; Managing Director, GTDC Kuldeep Arolkar, along with other dignitaries.

The occasion also saw the felicitation of prominent local personalities including Shubham Naik, Nilesh Shirodkar, Harish Deulker, Sudha Kudalkar and Vishwas Chari for their notable contributions to the fields of cuisine, art and culture.

Addressing the gathering, Tourism Minister Rohan A. Khaunte said that this was the second Food and Cultural Festival being organised in Margao and highlighted Goa’s diverse culinary traditions. He noted that from North to South Goa, travellers can experience a wide range of flavours, making the State a unique destination for food lovers.

He further stated that Goa, as a creative capital, could also be regarded as a culinary capital due to the richness of its cuisine. Emphasising the State’s focus on regenerative tourism, he said that all stalls at the festival are operated by Goans, including self-help groups offering home-made products. He added that the festival also provides a platform for local artists to showcase their talent, ensuring inclusivity and community participation.

PWD Minister and Captain of Ports Digambar Kamat observed that tourism continues to play a vital role in Goa’s economic growth and said that festivals such as the Goa Food & Cultural Festival add vibrancy to the State’s tourism calendar and contribute to increased visitor footfall.

GTDC Chairman Kedar J. Naik recalled earlier editions of the festival and stated that it continues to benefit self-help groups and local communities by offering a platform to showcase authentic Goan delicacies while preserving cultural traditions. He also highlighted the importance of providing opportunities for folk dancers and musicians.

MLA Ulhas Tuenkar said that the festival is organised with the objective of strengthening local livelihoods, with the majority of stalls run by Goans and self-help groups, enabling them to earn through their skills while celebrating Goa’s food and culture.

Director of Tourism Kedar Naik described the festival as a celebration of flavours, traditions and the vibrant spirit of Goa, and expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in making the event a success. He invited residents and visitors to experience the festivities over the coming days.

The opening day featured cultural performances by the Kanta Gaude Troupe, followed by live performances by Anson, Chelsea & Jeliska Trio, Sonia Shirsat with her Band, and LYNX, setting an energetic tone for the festival.

Alongside cultural performances, the festival features a wide range of stalls offering authentic Goan cuisine, traditional delicacies, local crafts and handmade products, providing valuable exposure to local artisans and entrepreneurs.

The Goa Food & Cultural Festival 2026, part of the Department of Tourism’s ‘Goa Beyond Beaches’ initiative, will continue until January 25, 2026, with a diverse line-up of cultural programmes and culinary showcases planned over the next two days.

International

Dior Faces Backlash for Not Crediting India’s Mukaish Embroidery in $200,000 Coat

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Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In the wake of Prada’s controversy over Kolhapuri chappals, another global fashion giant, Dior, is now facing heat for failing to credit India for a traditional embroidery technique featured in one of its newest couture pieces.

The luxury fashion house unveiled a $200,000 gold and ivory houndstooth coat at Paris Fashion Week as part of designer Jonathan Anderson’s debut collection for Dior. The event, attended by high-profile celebrities like Rihanna, Daniel Craig, and Robert Pattinson, was celebrated for its craftsmanship — but has since drawn criticism for cultural insensitivity.

The issue? The embroidery technique used in the opulent coat is believed to be Mukaish, an intricate hand embroidery style from Lucknow, India, known for using metallic threads to create shimmering motifs. Despite the garment reportedly taking 34 days to complete, no mention of “Mukaish” or its Indian roots was made in Dior’s promotional material or runway notes.

The oversight was highlighted by fashion analyst Hanan Besnovic, who runs the popular Instagram page @ideaservecouture. In a now-viral post, he broke down the craftsmanship behind the coat and stated:

“This is a traditional Indian hand embroidery technique… yet nowhere has Dior acknowledged its origin. This is about credit. This is about cultural respect.”

The backlash has reignited debates around cultural appropriation in fashion, where Western labels often incorporate traditional or indigenous art forms without proper acknowledgment or benefit to the original creators.

Fashion lovers, designers, and Indian artisans alike have taken to social media to express frustration, noting that such oversight erases cultural history and overlooks the skilled craftspeople keeping these traditions alive.

Critics argue that Dior missed an opportunity to spotlight India’s rich embroidery heritage — particularly Mukaish, which dates back centuries and has been passed down through generations of artisans in Uttar Pradesh.

The incident comes at a time when global conversations around ethical fashion, sustainability, and cultural sensitivity are louder than ever. As Indian textiles and techniques continue to inspire luxury fashion globally, many are calling for transparency, collaboration, and fair credit.

Whether Dior responds to the controversy remains to be seen, but the message from critics is loud and clear: Acknowledgement matters.

Entertainment

PIL Filed Against Prada Over Kolhapuri-Inspired Footwear: Petitioners Demand Apology & Compensation

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New Delhi, July 3, 2025 — Luxury fashion label Prada has landed in legal hot water in India after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed in the Delhi High Court accusing the brand of cultural appropriation. The controversy erupted after the Italian fashion house launched a sandal design bearing a striking resemblance to India’s iconic Kolhapuri chappals.

The PIL, filed by a collective of craft advocacy groups and legal activists, calls for:

  • A formal public apology from Prada
  • Compensation for affected artisan communities in Maharashtra
  • An immediate halt to further sales and marketing of the product

🧵 What Sparked the Backlash?

Prada’s recently released footwear — marketed as a “heritage leather sandal” — bears multiple design elements traditionally found in Kolhapuri chappals, including:

  • The distinctive T-strap and toe-ring design
  • Handcrafted leatherwork resembling patterns from Maharashtra’s Kolhapur region
  • A minimalist, open-toe construction

Despite this, the product made no mention of its Indian origins or the artisans who have preserved and passed down the Kolhapuri style for generations.

“This is not just about a shoe,” said one of the petitioners. “It’s about erasure of heritage and denial of rightful credit and benefits to indigenous craftsmen.”

👣 Kolhapuri Chappals: A Cultural Symbol

The Kolhapuri chappal, handcrafted by artisans from the Kolhapur district in Maharashtra, is protected under India’s Geographical Indication (GI) tag and is regarded as a symbol of traditional Indian craftsmanship.

Artisan networks and local cooperatives across Maharashtra and Karnataka have worked tirelessly to revive and sustain this form of heritage footwear in domestic and international markets.

“It is deeply disrespectful for a global luxury brand to lift our design without acknowledgment,” said a spokesperson from the Kolhapuri Artisan Federation.

⚖️ Legal and Ethical Questions

The PIL raises broader questions about intellectual property, ethical design, and fair trade, especially when it comes to global brands capitalizing on traditional knowledge without giving due credit.

The petitioners have urged the court to direct Prada to:

  • Include proper labelling and attribution in future collections
  • Create a royalty-based model for Indian artisans if such designs are reproduced commercially
  • Fund community-based artisan development programs

🗨️ What’s Next?

The Delhi High Court has sought responses from Prada’s legal representatives and scheduled the next hearing for later this month. Legal experts say this could set a precedent in cultural appropriation and GI protection law in India.

Meanwhile, the controversy has gone viral on social media, with hashtags like #KolhapuriNotPrada and #RespectHandmade trending as users rally behind Indian artisans.

🧵 Conclusion

As the case unfolds, it reignites the conversation around ethical fashion and the importance of recognizing traditional craftsmanship in the global design ecosystem. Whether Prada responds with reform or resistance remains to be seen — but for now, all eyes are on the courtroom and the cobbler’s bench.

#AllycaralFeature 👒, Goan Personalities, Spotlight

Meet Sabina Da Cunha, the Artist Preserving Goan Culture Through Traditional Crafts

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Sabina Da Cunha, a talented artist from Goa, has been making waves in the art world with her stunning traditional crafts. Recently, she was awarded the prestigious Art & Culture Award at the Orchid Awards 2025. We had the pleasure of sitting down with Sabina to discuss her artistic journey, inspiration, and creative process.


When asked about her win, Sabina shared, “It feels incredibly humbling and rewarding to be recognized for something I do with so much love and passion. This award is not just for me but for everyone who has supported me, especially my family and the women in my community who have kept this tradition alive.”


Sabina’s artistic journey began as a necessity. After her son was diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder, she had to leave her job in Dubai and return to Goa. It was then that she turned to mollam weaving, a traditional craft she learned from her grandmother. “It started as a necessity but soon became a passion,” she explained.


Sabina’s love for working with coconut leaves to create mollam is evident in her work. “It’s a simple yet beautiful craft that connects me to my roots and the environment,” she said. Her creative process begins with selecting the right coconut leaves, cleaning and preparing them for weaving, and experimenting with new patterns inspired by nature or her children’s drawings.


Sabina’s biggest inspiration is her family and community. Her children remind her every day of the importance of perseverance and finding joy in small things. She also draws inspiration from the women in her village who have been weaving mollam for generations.


Sabina stays true to traditional techniques and designs while also adapting to modern tastes. “I listen to my customers and incorporate their feedback,” she said. “For example, I’ve started creating smaller, decorative pieces that appeal to younger generations and tourists.”


Sabina hopes her art will be remembered as a celebration of Goan culture and a testament to the strength of women. She wants her work to inspire others to appreciate the beauty in simplicity and to keep traditional crafts alive.


Sabina’s advice to aspiring artists is to start with passion and patience. “Art is not always about perfection; it’s about expression and connection,” she said.


Sabina is planning an exhibition to showcase the art of mollam weaving and its cultural significance. She is also organizing workshops to empower women with skills that can support their families.

We are thrilled to celebrate Sabina Da Cunha’s achievement and share her inspiring story with our readers. Congratulations once again on her well-deserved win!