Other States - Puducherry   

Expo exudes artisans’ hopes

— Photo: T. Singaravelou

Myriad choices: People busy shopping around Gandhi Shilp Bazaar, which has on display a variety of crafts from across the country, on Beach Road.

PUDUCHERRY: Offering a wide range of handicrafts from across the country, the Gandhi Shilp Bazaar has received good response in Puducherry, recording sales of over Rs.1.60 crore till Sunday.

The bazaar, which was organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles of Government of India in association with Pudumai Handicrafts Artisans Co-operative Society Limited, was opened on August 11 and would go on till August 20. Aiming to bring artisans from various States in the country under one roof, the Gandhi Shilp Bazaar had participation of 230 artisans, including around 90 persons from the Union Territory. Around 60 varieties of crafts from Kashmir to Kanyakumari have been displayed at 150 stalls at the bazaar.

“The bazaar’s patronage was more than what we expected. Till Saturday, a total of Rs.1.50-crore sales have been recorded. The crowd during the weekend was huge and a sale of Rs.19 lakh was achieved on Sunday alone,” president of Pudumai V. K. Munusamy said.

Being the first place to host the Gandhi Shilp Bazaar, Puducherry would get a second chance in January to organise the exhibition. A total of 35 bazaars have been planned across the country.

Of all products, clothes including saris and churidhar materials received more customers at the exhibition. Hand-woven materials containing batik, handprints and embroidery had also obtained good patronage, he added.

Jewellery made of white metal and terracotta, dry flowers from north-eastern States, leather products from Kanpur, cotton decorative hangings made of vegetable colours from Manipur and furniture are just some of the products on the display.

“The exhibition has facilitated an exchange of ideas of different types of crafts and direct selling for the artisans. We have demonstration of crafts in the evening every day. Cultural programmes are also held here,” Mr. Munusamy added.

Artisans from Puducherry have displayed 39 varieties of crafts including hard leather goods and paper lamp shades. Educational wooden toys have obtained good sales at the bazaar, he said.

The bazaar, which was being held on the Beach Road, will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

AIADMK flays private bus fare hike
Three new markets to come up in Puducherry soon
CPI (M) seeks government’s intervention
Union demands pay hike for textile workers
“Prevent opening of liquor shop”
School forms nature club
School students win scholarships in various sports categories
Expo exudes artisans’ hopes
Power shutdown
New office bearers elected

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu