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Unified mish-mash

The handicrafts at Lepakshi expo are a harmonious blend of modern and ancient trends, says Jayaraj Manepalli

OPTIONS GALORE Girls have a wide range to choose from

The sweltering heat seems to have no effect on the crowds swarming the first floor of Nilgiri's Super Market on Lakshmipuram Road where Lepakshi has organised an exhibition-cum-sale of exquisite handicrafts.

The wide range of handwork stuff, the assortment of shimmering knick-knacks in latest styles and designs has caught the fancy of the children and elders alike.

Despite a stiff competition from new-age fancy yarn fabrics like nylon, chenille, tencel, flex and lycra, the handlooms, which are best suited for tropical climate, are still going strong.

The traditional and time-tested handlooms are evolving new favorites with contemporary designs enticing the fashion-conscious youth.

The expo has on display traditional saris carted in from different corners of Andhra Pradesh like Pochampally, Venkatagiri, Mangalagiri and Kotthakota.

The creativity of the handloom workers is witnessed in the bright hues that reflect in the natural shades of muted gold, brown, beige, cream and white.

Big draw

The crisp cotton saris from Bengal and Orissa are a big hit. Rajasthan, a State that faces the maximum brunt of the summer, offers a solution to beat the heat— a traditional cotton dress in bright colours and in latest designs. The youth have been making a beeline to the stalls offering casuals in Rajasthani style.

Dress materials in Batik print and lace works from Narasapur are other highlights.

While women are going gaga over the dazzling array of dress materials, dupattas and saris, men too have a choice between cotton shirts, ethnic party-wear and other apparels. "I like the varieties of printed jackets, which go well with a pair of jeans or even a pyjama," says Shweta, a college student. "Prices of handloom furnishings are reasonable and the stuff is durable," remarks Vasundhara, a housewife.

Amazing assortment

A vast collection of bed sheets, pillow covers, curtains, towels, wall hangings and other furnishings in different colours are a big draw at the exhibition. For art connoisseurs, a few paintings, laminated and framed, make a good bet. Girls are facing tough time choosing from accessories like earrings, bangles, beads and necklaces from the vast array to match their dresses.

There are beads, multi-coloured lampshades, garlands and decorative flowers made of unused cocoons. A collection of traditional toys from Kondapalli and Nirmal enchant the tiny tots and the elders alike.

"Nearly 50 handloom workers have descended on the venue, demonstrating their skills at the exhibition," says Lepakshi's Guntur division emporium manager K.Venkata Subbanna. The exhibition will be on till May 14, he says.

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