Gearing up to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav in a unique way, the Mangalore International Airport has organised a 10-day passenger engagement activity in association with Craftroots, an organisation working for the empowerment of artisans. The 10 day celebration also includes another important festival Rakha Bandhan. This will go up to 16th August.

It involves traditional Gujarati folk art, Ajrakh hand block print and Rogan art. Artisans Mahmad Soyab Abdul Karim Khatri from Ajrakhpur and Mahammad Jabbar Arab Khatri from Nirona, both in Bhuj district of Gujarat, are giving live demonstration of block printing and Rogan art. They are seventh and eighth generation artisans, respectively, preserving this art form.

With a history of more than 700 years, Ajrakhpur hand block print is now flourishing due to the likes of Mahmad Soyab Abdul Karim Khatri and his family. One can watch these artisans live at the Hastakala platform in the domestic security hold area on the ground floor of the airport.