ISDI Brings India’s Living Craft Traditions to Life at Hands of Heritage 2.0

Culture, craftsmanship and contemporary design came together once again at ISDI with Hands of Heritage 2.0 – bigger, bolder and more immersive than ever before. The second edition of ISDI’s flagship initiative reaffirmed the institute’s commitment to celebrating artisan voices, cultural legacy and design with purpose, creating a powerful platform where India’s timeless craft traditions met contemporary design thinking.

Hands of Heritage is envisioned as a bridge – connecting the inherited wisdom of Indian handicraft with the evolving language of modern design. It reminds us that heritage is not something to be archived in the past, but a living source of inspiration, identity and innovation, carried forward through the hands, minds and values of the next generation.

Chief Guest: Rochelle Pinto, Vogue India

ISDI was honoured to welcome Ms. Rochelle Pinto as the Chief Guest for Hands of Heritage 2.0. With her sharp editorial authority, deep cultural insight and modern global lens, Rochelle brought a powerful perspective to conversations around craft, storytelling and design in India today.

Her presence underscored the importance of media, fashion and cultural platforms in shaping how Indian heritage is perceived, celebrated and carried forward – both within the country and globally.

Inauguration

The event was inaugurated with the traditional lighting of the lamp by Ms. Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content at Vogue India and Dr. Indu Shahani, Founding President & Chancellor of ATLAS SkillTech University.

Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Indu Shahani reflected on the deeper meaning of the initiative, stating, Her words set the tone for a day rooted in reflection, learning and purpose.

Hands of Heritage is not just about the craft, it is about culture, heritage and traditions.
– Dr. Indu Shahani, Founding President & Chancellor, ATLAS SkillTech University

Fireside Chat with Rochelle Pinto : Craft, Media and the Future of Creative Identity

A key highlight of the event was the fireside chat with Rochelle Pinto, which brought together themes of heritage, media, fashion and the future of creative identities. The candid conversation explored Indian craft not as nostalgia, but as a living knowledge system that continues to shape contemporary culture and global design narratives. Students gained valuable insights into how tradition, storytelling and innovation intersect, and what this means for the future of creative practice.

Craft is more than art or heritage – it can be political, rebellious and deeply expressive.
– Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content, Vogue India

During the fireside chat, the conversation moved fluidly across themes of craft, identity and the future of creative practice. Rochelle spoke about how, in an increasingly homogenised world, there is a renewed pride in cultural origins, with audiences wanting to know not just the craft, but the stories and geographies behind it. Indian crafts are living and evolving knowledge systems -one deeply tied to place, people and politics, she said.

The discussion highlighted the importance of reframing craft narratives for younger audiences, moving away from surface-level exoticism toward authentic, human stories. Rochelle emphasised that craft thrives when it becomes part of everyday life rather than being positioned as something distant or ceremonial. She also addressed the long-standing conversation around Western validation versus Indian pride, encouraging creatives to reclaim confidence in indigenous knowledge systems and trust the value of what is created by human hands, hearts and minds.

While AI collapses time, true mastery comes from giving time, making mistakes and learning through process.
– Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content, Vogue India

Looking ahead, the conversation explored the future of heritage in the age of technology and AI. While AI has the power to collapse time and accelerate processes, Rochelle reminded students that true mastery comes from patience, practice and the courage to make mistakes. Craft, she noted, will only grow in value as technology becomes more accessible, because what differentiates humans from machines is originality, emotion and lived experience.

The human element – created by hands, hearts and minds – will hold greater value as technology becomes cheaper.
– Rochelle Pinto, Head of Editorial Content, Vogue India

Drawing from her role at Vogue India, Rochelle spoke about the responsibility of cultural platforms in shaping identities that are both rooted and globally relevant. She stressed the need to first make space for craft in one’s own thinking before expecting space in magazines or global platforms. Most importantly, she urged students to remain original, honest and focused on their own craft – reminding them that artisans are fully capable of telling their own stories and that what they often need is visibility and respect, not reinterpretation.

The session concluded on an energetic note with a quick-fire round, leaving students inspired, reflective and motivated to approach heritage not as a static legacy, but as a powerful foundation for future innovation.

Hands-on Learning: Artisan-Led Workshops at ISDI

Complementing the conversations, Hands of Heritage 2.0 featured a series of 10 immersive, hands-on workshops led by master artisans from across India. These sessions offered students a rare opportunity to learn directly from living legends of craft—understanding not just techniques, but stories, processes and cultural contexts.

Workshops:

• Miniature Painting – Hement Kailaschand Kumawat
• Sholapith – Arup Malakar
• Leather Puppetry – Chandrasekhar
• Gond Art – Ramesh Tekam
• Tanjore Painting – Geeta Gopi
• Bagru / Sanganeri Printing – Ghanshyam Shreshti
• Appliqué – Vishnu Suthar
• Palm Leaf Etching – Narayan Das
• Block Printing – Sarfaraz Ahmed Khatri
• Charkha & Weaving – Dinesh Vankar

A celebration of heritage, skill and storytelling, these workshops encouraged students to engage with craft thoughtfully – learning to design consciously, creatively and responsibly.

Carrying Heritage Forward

Hands of Heritage 2.0 stood as a testament to ISDI’s belief that the future of design lies in respecting the past while reimagining it for tomorrow. Through dialogue, hands-on learning and meaningful exchange, the initiative continues to inspire students to become not just designers, but cultural custodians of India’s rich legacy.

As heritage meets design, storytelling and innovation, ISDI remains committed to nurturing creative leaders who are rooted, relevant and ready for the future.