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All-India Craft Bazaar kicks off

PUDUCHERRY: Chief Minister N. Rangasamy on Friday inaugurated the All-India Craft Bazaar 2008, an exhibition of handicraft and handloom items from all over the country, at Gandhi Thidal.

With 150 stalls and 600 artisans, the bazaar will be on till January 20.

Mr. Rangasamy also launched the Pondicherry Pudumai Handicrafts Artisans Co-operative Society’s website at the exhibition.

Speaking on the occasion, he said the Government was bearing the 15 per cent discount to Pudumai products. He also said that people must buy more handicraft items to encourage artisans. MLA S.P. Sivakumar was present on the occasion.

At the expo, one can buy products, including jute earrings, Kancheepuram silk and cotton saris, Lucknowi chikan embroidery, wood and soap stone carvings, Kalamkari, pith work from Kolkata, bronze icons, ceramic pottery, Rajasthan puppets, terracotta and other items.

The exhibition is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

This year the invitation to the inaugural event carried the photograph of the founder of the Crafts Council of India, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, who was instrumental in bringing about the resurgence of traditional Indian crafts in the country. V.K. Munusamy, president of Pudumai, said the All-India Crafts Bazaar held in August 2007 saw a business of Rs. 2 crore, and this year they expected a sale of Rs. 3 crore.

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