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Showcasing their skills
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Besides displaying their wares, the artisans also decide how much to sell at
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THE IDOL of Goddess Durga on a jhula (swing) at the entrance and rows of hand-made artefacts in brass and white metal introduce visitors to Gujarati handicrafts. Besides these objects d'art, Gujarati fabrics also attract visitors to the ongoing exhibition-cum-sale of handloom and handicrafts from Gujarat and North India at the Sri Seshadri Swamigal Mahal.
Usually, middlemen make merry in such fairs. However, in this one, organised by the Gujarat Emporium, the artisans have been given a chance to directly sell their wares.
"In this expo, it is the artisans who fix the price for their articles. We just provide them with a platform," says T V Balaji, Manager of the Emporium. Though most of the items that are up for sale are from Gujarat, handicrafts from States like Orissa, Kerala and Karnataka too find a place in the stalls.
The bajat (peetam where the deity is placed) and the velvet batuwa (surukku pai or pouch bag) give the visitor an idea about intricate Gujarati craftsmanship. But, it is the necklaces and bangles that steal the show. Unlike what is normally available here, one got to see long necklaces with embedded mirrors, bhaju band, lambada necklaces and the like.
"These are worn by tribals in Gujarat. Though these necklaces are quite heavy, they are preferred as they look different," says Ashwin Bhai, an artisan.
Puppet thorans (decorative hangings) of North Gujarat come in refreshingly new forms and designs. "Earlier, we used to exhibit thorans made of cloth. For this expo, we have brought those made of velvet with designs in wool," Balaji says.
"This year, ghagra-cholis for children are a big draw. Of course, we have the regular stuff too."
In the non-Gujarat section, the simple "patta chitra" paintings from Ragurajpur in Orissa, capture the attention of visitors. Dasavathara and Krishna leela have been beautifully engraved on palm leaves. Though simple paintings can be made in two days, the foldable ones take as long as one-and-a-half years to complete. In this variety, a story is depicted on one side of the palm leaf, while the other has images of temples, including the famous Sun Temple in Konark.
"Vegetable dyes are used in these paintings. Those featuring stories from Mahabharata take a longer time to finish," explains Haraprasad Mishra, an artist.
You can also pick bookmarks, which range between Rs.15 and Rs.10, 000. Brass pieces and articles made of sesame wood from Saharanpur also occupy considerable space. In the handloom section, appliqué bedspreads from Veraval are the main attraction. "These bed spreads are made only in Gujarat. The designs are cut out and then stitched onto the cloth after embroidery," Balaji says.
The expo is open till October 21.
M. ALLIRAJAN
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Metro Plus
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Chennai
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