Rare Braj Paper-Cutting Art Sanjhi draws attention at Kausalyam 2026

Hyderabad, July 15, 2026: Not all masterpieces are painted. Some are cut, one delicate stroke at a time.

At Kausalyam 2026, a two day Craft Festival being organised by Crafts Council of Telangna in the city at Anvaya Convention Centre in Financial District, Gachibowli, visitors are discovering Sanjhi, the rare and exquisite paper-cutting art of Braj, often described as a tradition where a thousand cuts create one masterpiece. Originating in the sacred Krishna land of Mathura and Vrindavan, Sanjhi is among India’s most intricate and endangered art forms.

Among the many traditional crafts showcased at Kausalyam 2026, Sanjhi has emerged as a major attraction, captivating visitors with its breathtaking precision and spiritual depth. Created entirely by hand, the art involves meticulously cutting intricate patterns and images from paper to depict scenes from Lord Krishna’s life, Raas Leela, peacocks, lotus motifs and other sacred symbols associated with the Braj region.

What makes Sanjhi truly remarkable is the extraordinary skill and patience it demands. Working with simple tools, artists carefully remove tiny portions of paper to create delicate, lace-like compositions of astonishing detail. A single misplaced cut can spoil an entire artwork, making every piece a testament to years of practice and artistic mastery.

Once an integral part of temple traditions in Braj, Sanjhi has gradually become a vanishing art, with only a handful of practitioners continuing to preserve and promote this unique heritage. Its presence at Kausalyam 2026 offers visitors a rare opportunity to witness a living tradition that beautifully blends devotion, storytelling and craftsmanship.

Sanjhi is not just rare—it is also labor-intensive and highly skilled, which makes authentic works relatively expensive. Each piece is painstakingly hand-cut using tiny scissors or specialized blades, often requiring hours or even days of meticulous work. A single mistake can ruin the entire design, as the artwork is usually created from a single sheet of paper without corrections.

Sanjhi is among India's most intricate paper-cutting traditions. Every artwork is handcrafted through hours of painstaking precision, making each piece not only rare but also a valuable work of art. The time, skill, and craftsmanship involved mean that authentic Sanjhi creations command premium prices and are increasingly sought after by collectors and connoisseurs.

From Braj to Hyderabad, Sanjhi has found a new audience at Kausalyam 2026, highlighting the importance of preserving India’s diverse handmade traditions and celebrating the artisans who keep them alive.

Organised by the Crafts Council of Telangana, Kausalyam 2026 celebrates India’s rich craft heritage and provides a platform for artisans, craft revivalists and cultural practitioners from across the country.

Kausalyam 2026 is being held at Anvaya Convention, Financial District, Hyderabad, and is open to the public. Entry is free. It is open from 10am to 7pm and will conclude on Thursday