Imagine a symphony of creativity, where the echoes of heritage crafts resonate with the vibrant pulse of modern innovation – this was Dhaka Makers as it returned for its third edition. Artisans, creators, and lovers of art gathered at Aloki for a five-day celebration, from January 30 to February 3, 2025. Like its previous editions, Dhaka Makers 3 shone a spotlight on traditional arts, local talent and contemporary artists, offering three separate marketplaces each focusing on art, crafts and contemporary products respectively, hands-on creative workshops, an animation exhibition, tantalising food and electrifying concerts, all infused with the spirit of creativity.
Rita Ahmad, who has been coming to Dhaka Makers since its inception, praised the event’s warm and welcoming atmosphere, saying, “As a senior citizen, I often feel a little self-conscious in places where everyone is much younger than me, but I have been coming to Dhaka Makers since the very first one, and I love the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the vitalising energy. It also helps that it’s easy to get around.”
This year, Dhaka Makers introduced many new attractions, but walking into Aloki on the first day, the bustling food court sprawled across the parking lot caught my eye right away. The ingenious use of bright red crates, repurposed into inviting food stalls, immediately signalled the team’s commitment to being environmentally friendly while designing the event.
The heart of Dhaka Makers beats in its curated markets. As seen before, the Makers’ Market hosts one-of-a-kind, handcrafted contemporary products and merchandise such as stickers, home decor and accessories, jewellery, gift items, etc. For many small business owners and contemporary artists, like Troyee Sanjana of Crystal in a Wrap or Samiha of Shabana, Dhaka Makers offered an invaluable opportunity to connect with customers, gain feedback, and share their passion with a wider audience. “It’s a great opportunity for us,” shared Samiha, “as we get to see their reactions, which honestly feels very wholesome.” Among the talented makers contributing to this animated atmosphere were Pottery Booth, Royal Bengal Couture, Wild Woven, Ghorar Dim, Dhaka Ikigai, Hoollah, Toco Caps Inc, Le Bar, RNDM, and many others, each offering their own distinct perspective and creative vision.
In this edition, Dhaka Makers also hosted a separate Marketplace for the heritage crafts of Bangladesh, where traditional artisans also displayed their regular craft products like satranji, shola, tepa putul, Nakshi Kantha, Jamdani, items crafted from bamboo and coconut, shitalpati, etc. There was a live demonstration of crafts on all five days of the event such as tapestry, rickshaw painting, etc. in the Craft Market as well. With an aim to make art accessible to all, the Art Market at Dhaka Makers 3 invited visitors to discover a piece that resonated with their soul. Instead of hushed halls, the Art Market created a welcoming space, open to all who wished to experience the transformative power of art. Both established and up-and-coming artists, working in a diverse range of mediums, displayed their work at the market. Among the many talented individuals contributing to this wide-ranging display were Farah Naz Moon, Helal Shah, Hridita Anisha, Istela Imam, Karima Islam, Lekh Nesa Khatun, Macraiwong, Maeesha Samiha Athay, Mahadi Masud, Md. Faizur Rahman Firoz, Md. Rameez Afroz Shahi, Mohona Tabassum, Moung San Wang and many others. Visitors could browse a wide selection of artwork, much of it priced within reach, purchase their chosen pieces at a convenient paying station and carry it home right away.
From observation to creation, Dhaka Makers brought back a brilliant lineup of hands-on workshops this year to spark visitors’ curiosity, offering them a chance to explore various art forms under the guidance of skilled instructors. The workshops bridged the gap between generations, showcasing both the enduring traditions of Bangladeshi heritage and the innovative spirit of contemporary art. Visitors delved into the intricacies of traditional crafts, such as the delicate art of Tepa Putul making with living legend Sunil Pal, the beauty of Shola art explored with Gopendra Nath, and the intricate weaving of Dhakai Jamdani with master weaver Rajon Miah. Simultaneously, the workshops explored modern forms of artistic expression, from blending folklore with comic books in a unique
Nakshi Kantha workshop led by Kusum, Reeshab Shabab Tirtho, and Mahenaz Chowdhury, to crafting sustainable leather goods in a zero-waste workshop by Wildwoven, and exploring the beauty of Bangla calligraphy and typography with Sabyasachi Hazra. Through these workshops, valuable skills, both traditional and contemporary, were passed on to eager learners, keeping these art forms alive. As the lights twinkled and the evening breeze cooled the air, the music took center stage at Dhaka Makers 3. The concerts featured a diverse lineup of musicians, showcasing the rich musical culture of Bangladesh. Over the five days, visitors were treated to a wide range of performances, from the much-anticipated return of Powersurge to the soulful melodies of The Rehman Duo. A mesmerizing performance by Krishnokoli on the first day prepared the stage for a truly unforgettable finale with Anusheh Anadil & Bahok, whose performance on the final day was nothing short of magical. The bittersweet feeling of the ending only underscored the profound impact the event had. Behind every handcrafted item, every artistic expression at Dhaka Makers 3, there was a story of passion, dedication, and a deep connection to Bangladeshi culture – be it traditional or contemporary. These stories are the true essence of this initiative which exists to celebrate the immense creative local talent of this country.