The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Exquisite range of gift articles and toys at craft exhibition

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jun 02, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Exquisite range of gift articles and toys at craft exhibition

Staff Reporter

Pricey but will last longer than the cheaper plastic version

FINE ARTWORKS: Wooden furniture from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka displayed at Craft Link on Kodambakkam High Road. — PHOTO: S. THANTHONI

CHENNAI: Craft Link has an exquisite collection of toys and gift articles. They are pricey but will last longer than the cheaper plastic version. Kondapalli toys, rattlers, wooden pen stands, whistles, tops and Chinese chequers (called solitaires) are on sale.

Exhibition-cum-sale

The exhibition-cum-sale of woodcraft includes items from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.

The exhibition includes paintings, inlay work in wood, palm leaf products, scented candles from Pondicherry and textiles. The pricey items include a carved wooden swing costing Rs.1.4 lakh and dining tables and chairs.

Decorative panels

Rosewood inlay work from Mysore and decorative panels in neem by Chinnachari, a traditional carver from Kalahasthi in Andhra Pradesh are also on sale. Among the items are paintings by P. Vijayan, who follows the style popularised by Ravi Varma. Noteworthy among his paintings is the Tanjore style Krishna with devotees that has been given an antique finish.

The exhibition is South India Producer Association's initiative, which plans to hold theme-based exhibitions from this year. Range of discounts of 10 per cent for handicrafts, 20 per cent for handlooms and textiles, and 25 per cent for furniture are offered. P. Sundaramurthy, Southern Regional Director, Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicraft), inaugurated the exhibition on Thursday at the showroom on Kodambakkam High Road.

The exhibition will be open from 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. till June 15 (including Sundays).

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