MYSORE: A scramble for souvenirs by tourists visiting Mysore and the growing interest in handicrafts and handloom products among the local people have given a fillip to the handicrafts market here.

Artisans from different parts of the country, looking for a market to sell a variety of exotic artefacts, descend on the city routinely and hold exhibitions, drawing hundreds of curious visitors and potential purchasers each day.

Apart from the handicrafts industry of Mysore, including the popular wood-inlay craft, which enjoys worldwide popularity, the frequent craft expositions held here and the annual JSS Urban Haath have helped boost the handicrafts and handloom market.

Assistant Director, Handicrafts Marketing and Service Extension Centre, Mysore, S.C. Devaramani told The Hindu that the number of artisan welfare associations and State-run emporia holding exhibitions in the city has jumped several fold in the past three years.

"Two or three years ago, four or five handicraft exhibitions were held here every year. Goods worth Rs. 2 lakhs to Rs. 3 lakhs would be sold during the exhibitions, which are normally held for 10 days. Now, over 15 such exhibitions are held each year and the transactions cross Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 7 lakhs during each expo," Mr. Devaramani said.

Presently, two exhibitions are underway in Mysore — one put up by North-Eastern Handicraft and Handloom Corporation Ltd. at the Scouts and Guides Grounds behind the Deputy Commissioner's Office and the other involving Handicraft Artisans' Welfare Association from Telangana at The Institution of Engineers on Jhansi Lakshmi Bai Road.

"Both the exhibitions are eliciting good response. People's interest in handicrafts and handloom products has increased. Many residents of Mysore value art," Mr. Devaramani said. Each 10-day exhibition attracts not less than 25,000 to 30,000 people, he said.

JSS Urban Haath, held once a year, attracts hundreds of artisans from different parts of the country, who set up stalls on the haath premises situated on the outskirts of the city behind the Central Institute for Plastic Engineering Technology. The first JSS Urban Haath attracted 55,000 people while the second edition saw over 85,000 people visit the expo.

A three-day event organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry at the Chamundi Vihar Indoor Stadium three years ago to promote self-help groups engaged in handicrafts also saw over one lakh people visit the expo.

Mr. Devaramani pointed out that most artisan welfare organisations choose Mysore instead of Bangalore in view of the paucity of venues and halls in the State capital. "Some halls such as the Chitrakala Parishat are booked almost throughout the year. Mysore is the next best bet," he said.

The Handicraft Marketing and Service Extension Centre in Mysore also offers several incentives to artisans' welfare associations, which set up exhibitions in Mysore.

"Normally, holding a 10-day exhibition on a small scale costs around Rs. 2 lakhs. The Government reimburses up to 75 per cent of the cost while the association has to shoulder only 25 per cent. Any association engaged in the welfare of handicraft artisans is eligible for the incentive," he said.

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