[2] It was founded in 1981 in Delhi, by a group of six women, including Laila Tyabji, its current chairperson.
[3] Today, it is synonymous with the Dasktar Mela, a crafts exhibition it organises every year since 1982.
[4] Over the years, Dastkar has worked in women empowerment in rural areas, where it has been involved in developing self-reliant artisan groups.
[5] In 2005, Tyabji became a founder-member of All India Artisans and Craft Workers Welfare Association (AIACA), along with Pritam Singh (Anokhi), Ritu Kumar, Madhukar Khera and Fabindia.
Held in Delhi, the mela sees craftspeople and artisans from over 22 states selling their works and crafts items.