Small is meaningful
`The Rural Product Mela' organised by the Commissioner, Khadi and Village Industries has some intriguing products on view. Ever heard of dehydrated bananas hygienically packed in airtight plastic bags with a shelf life of 3 months? The dry fruit is the brain child of T. Mariappa, electrical engineer turned agriculturist ! Or take the eco-friendly paper look-alike disposable cups crafted out of sugarcane waste which can hold your coke for up to an hour. Very smart and contemporary looking, the Saicup is the invention of Shanmugam from Tiruchi. "Quality is never an accident. It is a result of sincere efforts" is the motto of M. Ganjan, who is the Business Development Manager of Chitrakar Gramodyog Sangh, makers of quality herbal agarbathies, dhoop, air and room fresheners. On sale at the mela are appalams , Andhra pickles, `aam papads', herbal medicine, recycled paper stationery, furniture, readymade garments etc.
Organic products
The mela features non-polluting organic products as well as handicrafts which do not harm ecology. The `Rural Product Mela' has the earthy, vibrant feel and intimacy of a village haat. Creativity and ingenuity, eco-friendly values and `natural' remedies, utilitarian and decorative products sit together in easy harmony. Targeted at the middle class, it has a lot to offer a wider audience too.
Also featured are neemwood sculptures and panels, brass and bronze figurines and icons, ready to wear garments and enormous papier mache Ganeshas, Saraswathi etc. Beautifully woven, colourful and attractive, the Pulicat palm leaf boxes, containers and decorations are an added attraction.
On display are Tanjore paintings which are moderately priced, and well executed. Moderately priced and well crafted is a whole range of cane furniture from Rajapalayam. And there are terracotta items too, from avante garde Pondicherry masks to pots, urns.
The Rural Product Mela which is on at Valluvarkottam, Nungambakkam concludes on October 15.
PUSHPA CHARI
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