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Wonderful Workshops in Rajasthan

Visit India, the Land of Crafts, and experience the thrill of learning a traditional skill

The Wonderful Workshops programme of heritage workshops are based on traditional craft techniques of the magical city of Jaipur. They are led my local master-craftsmen in collaboration with well-known British artists and designers. The programme was created with the Jaipur Virasat (Heritage) Foundation to enable a wider community to share in this centuries old specialist knowledge and to promote heritage conservation and responsible tourism.

Wonderful Workshops teaching programme

These seven exceptional workshops are instructed by well-known designers and teachers from Great Britain, in collaboration with talented local practitioners, and offer you a chance to acquire unique skills and spend a glorious week experiencing some of the living culture of Rajasthan.

Mud Resist Prints & Indigo Dye Natalie Gibson & Di Livey

Dhabu blockprinting & resist processes with indigo & other vegetable dyes

 with Raj Kanwar of Ojjas
Stitches of the Desert Lucy Goffin

Embroidery, mirror & cutwork; braid-making and intricate gold printing

 with Anokhi Studios
Miniature Painting Olivia Dalrymple

Paper preparation, natural pigment making; brush techniques and metal-foil application

 with Ajay Sharma
Sparkling Surfaces Andrew Logan

Jewellery-making, sculpture and embellishment of select objects

 assisted by Leah Hopkinson
Fabulous Photography Vipul Sangoi

Guided photography expeditions to unusual locations off the beaten track

 with Samkit Shah
Silver Jewellery-Making Catherine Mannheim

Stamping, piercing, bending and forming metal and simple stone setting

 with Amrapali
Taste of India Sandhya Kumari & Jyotika Kumari

The secrets of Rajasthani cooking of Diggi Palace

 of Diggi Palace

Each programme runs over six days, and includes three full days and two half days tuition. The workshops are conducted in locations specially selected for the subject, such as heritage palaces, craft studios and traditional workshops.

Wonderful Workshops cultural programme

The programme also offers a wide range of cultural activities, including a celebration lunch for the annual Kite Festival, expeditions to little-known museums, guided early-morning walks in the old walled city, visits to private collections and accompanied tours to the bazaars in order to enhance your chosen subject.

There are brilliant evening concert performances by folk musicans of Rajasthan, arranged for your enjoyment in the Diggi Palace Durbar Hall.

There will be a garden tea partyand introduction at Diggi Palace to welcome you on the first afternoon, and an exhibition of work produced by all the participants on the final day. This will be followed by a farewell Gala Dinner and concert at Diggi Place.

This is an unusual and extraordinary week in which to discover the colourful and generous Rajasthani way of life, combined with a unique learning experience. Through our excellent local contacts, we have created a programme that gives you a taste of the best that Jaipur can offer. We are delighted to have many participants returning each year to enjoy it again and again.

This Wonderful Workshops programme is co-ordinated by Frances Ronaldson assisted by Louisa Tomlinson

Frances Ronaldsonis a textile designer who has worked in India and led textile study trips over the last twenty years. She was in charge of the textile section at the Contemporary Applied Arts Gallery in London, as well as teaching and lecturing at various art colleges.