India Guide
Rajasthan
Shilpgram
Address: 5km west of Udaipur
Price: Rs25, camera Rs10, video Rs50
Opening time: Daily 11am–7pm
The popular rural arts and crafts centre of Shilpgram was set up as a crafts village to promote the traditional architecture, music and crafts of the tribal people of western India, with displays dedicated to the diverse lifestyles and customs of the region's rural population. Around thirty replica houses and huts in traditional style are arranged in a village-like compound, with examples of buildings from various states.
Musicians, puppeteers and dancers – hijras (eunuchs) among them – hang out around the houses and strike up on the approach of visitors (tip expected). You may also see people weaving, potting and embroidering as they would in their original homes, though most of the handicrafts on sale are fifth-rate, if that. Despite its honourable intentions, many tourists find the atmosphere contrived and resent the hustling by musicians and their ilk. Even so, it's well worth a visit if only for the scenic journey out along the road around Fateh Sagar Lake, best done by bicycle. Alternatively, the return journey by auto-rickshaw costs around Rs100 including waiting time.