The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : `Jewel Expo-2006' gets under way

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 28, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

`Jewel Expo-2006' gets under way

Staff Reporter

Prices are affordable and there is something for different age groups

GLITTERING SHOW: Minister for Electricity and Rural Industries N. Veerasamy at the `Jewel Expo 2006' at Poompuhar showroom in Chennai on Tuesday. — Photo: K.V. Srinivasan

CHENNAI: `Jewel Expo 2006,' showcasing a wide range of artistic jewellery, including those studded with semi-precious stones and plated in gold and made of silver, opened on Tuesday at the Poompuhar showroom on Anna Salai.

On display and for sale at the 19-day exhibition, organised by the Tamilnadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, are jewellery items from various States, including Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra.

The prices are affordable, and there is something for different age groups — from bangles to rings, necklace, costume and temple jewellery, American diamonds, Hyderabad pearls, rudraksha mala, beed mala, chandan mala and coral varieties, says D. Rajendran, chairman and managing director of the Corporation.

Ruby, sapphire and emerald are some of the semi-precious stones sold.

The exhibition showcases a variety of jewellery barring those made of 22-carat gold.

He was briefing presspersons after Electricity and Rural Industries Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy inaugurated the exhibition and launched the corporation's web site (www.tamilnaduhandicrafts.com) .

Handlooms and Handicrafts secretary C.P. Singh participated in the function.

A special discount of 10 per cent will be offered on all items. All major credit cards will be accepted and no service charge levied.

The other highlights of the exhibition, which will remain open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all days up to July 15, include the display of idols, including the majestic Panchalokha idol of Chenna Kesava Perumal flanked by Hanuman and Garuda, with Ashtalakshmi and Dasavathara figures at the base.

It 1,200-kg idol has a height of 88 inch. Thirteen artisans of Swamimalai near Kumbakonam worked on the piece for three years. It is priced at Rs.16 lakh.

A 21-face rudraksha priced at Rs.1 lakh and the 32 avatars of Vinayaka in Panchalokha at Rs.2.20 lakh are some of the other attractions.

The Corporation expected the exhibition to generate Rs.20 lakh (Rs.14 lakh last year).

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