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Not an ordinary fair
FROM THE looks of it, it seemed like an ordinary fete, bearing sharp resemblance to what you might have seen at Dilli Haat or Suraj Kund. It was a display of utility items, garments, kitchenware, home and fashion accessories and a lot more, laid out in the most decorative way to lure customers. But a second look at this Saras Fair at Jawahar Kala Kendra in Jaipur let loose many secrets and extraordinary labour that went to make this affair exceptional this past week.
It was part of the joint effort by the Rural Non-farm Development Agency - RUDA - with the Rural Development Department, Government of Rajasthan and the Ministry of Rural Development to revive dying art forms of rural India.
Glimpse of heritage
Hence, it was a chance to see what now seems a lost legacy. Take for instance, kavar from Chittor, which is a wooden box-like edifice with several doors, on which mythological stories are painted in bright hues, mojri designs from Rajasthan and Haryana which were revived in leather bags and dress materials and masks in terracotta from the Garasiya tribal community of Sirohi, Rajasthan and a lot more.
These all found their places at a makeshift mini village set up at the Kendra in as many as 300 stalls. Be it straw painting from Kerala, chikan work from Lucknow, bandhani from Rajasthan, shell items from Goa or woodwork from Saharanpur, pickles, durries, diyas, bedsheets - all these found a great number of admirers, especially among women. The prices of the items were kept to a minimum. This was possible because these artisans from more than 22 States were lent the venue free of cost for the 12-day affair.
Sustainable development
Added to this colourful fiesta was a cultural programme every evening. Organised for the first time in Jaipur, Saras, which is actually a series of 12 programmes a year has now the likes of the International Labour Organisation, the United Nations Development Programme and other institutions taking interest in it.
"Our aim is sustainable development of these art forms outside the farm cluster, to revive the dying art of rural India and to take it to the national and international market," says Rohit R. Brandon, Managing Director, RUDA.
Those who missed this lovely affair should not lose heart. The India International Trade Fair will feature Saras in November at Delhi's own Pragati Maidan.
RANA SIDDIQUI
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