WHAT TO CHOOSE?: A foreigner appreciating the products on display at the exhibition. - Photo: P.V. Sivakumar

HYDERABAD: Onyx, the gleaming stone in various hues that lends itself beautifully to be moulded into a variety of articles ranging from decorative artefacts to stunning pieces of furniture seems to be a big draw with the visitors to The Hindu-Eenadu Lifestyle show at Hitex Exhibition Centre.

Available only in Baluchistan, manufactured in Karachi and exported to various parts of the world, a wide range of Onyx handicrafts are on display at the Pakistan pavilion. Mohd. Iqbal, who brought an amazing range that includes beauties like `chess board and pawns' (Rs.1.5 lakhs), handcrafted fountain (2.5 lakhs), a dining table (Rs.1.5 lakhs), vases, pedestals, centre tables of various sizes and shapes, says Indians consider onyx as a lucky stone and onyx artefacts are quite a craze in India.

Exquisite range

The collection includes a `Nandi' weighing 800 kg and made of a single stone, well-crafted pairs of lions besides small flower vases, candle stands and lampshades. The range starts from Rs.100 and goes up to Rs.4.5 lakhs, says Iqbal who is quite glad to be back in India. Equally enticing are handicrafts from Thailand (NJ Creations).

The oriental collection in lacquered wood comprises Buddha statues, wall panels, mirror frames and hand carved with antique finish. Another stall to look for is Sanswad, where polyurethrene artefacts imported from China, Indonesia and Italian porcelain handicrafts are on display.

The Kenyan pavilion reflects tribal art and the sleek wooden artefacts in natural dyes depict African culture and their fondness for animal and human forms.

Masks in various forms, a ceremonial handcrafter walking stick that also makes a wall hanging, and costume jewellery look bright and radiant.

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