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“Encourage artisans to keep traditional handicrafts alive”

PUDUCHERRY: To keep our traditional handicrafts and handloom alive in an era of globalisation, governments should encourage artisans. Exhibitions organised by government corporations are a step in this direction, Collector G. Theva Needhi Dhas said on Saturday.

Speaking after inaugurating a Home Décor exhibition organised by the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation (Poompuhar) at Vel Sokkanathan Thirumana Nilayam, he said exhibitions offered a good opportunity for the artisans to directly interact with the buyers. “They will know the pulse of the public,” he said.

V. Subbaian, Manager, Poompuhar Showroom, Chennai, said this was the third year the Poompuhar had organised an exhibition in Puducherry. The sales target this year was set at Rs. 25 lakh. In 2006-07, the total sale touched Rs. 18 crore.

“As there was more demand for rosewood, teak and walnut furniture, we have brought more dining sets, swings and puja mandapams,” he said.

The exhibition, which is on till January 10, 2008, has brass lamps, Thanjavur art plates, Thanjavur paintings, Lucknow chickan work saris and chudidhar materials, leather goods, wooden toys from Rajasthan, prints of Ravi Varma paintings, glass paintings and fashion jewellery.

The stall with terracotta items from Kolkata has dolls of Sharada Devi , Rabindranath Tagore, dolls with spring heads , Kali and Shiva with Ganesha among others. The dolls come in bright and attractive colours.

Artisans from Thirukoilur in Villupuram district have brought heavy brass bells (priced at Rs. 5,500), idols including Buddha, Kamadhenu, Vishnu, Lakshmi, Saraswathi; hanging lamps, lock and key (around Rs. 800); paper weights (in the shape of iron boxes), bottle openers with traditional motifs.

Craftsmen from Jaipur have used colourful silk thread to make bangles, neckware and bracelets. They also have bright ear rings priced at Rs. 20 a pair. Pens, book holders, kumkum holders and pen stands in blue, yellow, pink and red made in minakari style are also available.

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