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Crazy about khadi
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EXHIBITION You can still catch up on the last few days of the khadi exhibition for some surprise great buys
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Photo: Sampath Kumar G.P.
Good earth Terracota urns and urlis for your home
Papads and pickles, gooseberry and aloe vera in every conceivable form, brought from Rajasthan to Andhra Pradesh reign at this year’s khadi exhibition. I’m not kidding. Going by the sales at the annual khadi and cottage industry products
exhibition organised by the Khadi and Gramodyog Mandali, people are flocking to stalls that offer free samples. You can taste anything from microwavable papads, dried fruits, saffron and spices and masala chillies from Kashmir to Horanadu, kardantu from Gokak and Belgaum, colourful and pungent churnas (digestives) and saunfs to fried goodies in large plastic containers. And many religiously stocked up on their fiery Andhra pickle or north Karnataka’s range of chutney pudis.
That’s not to say that there’s nothing more than food to this annual exhibition. It’s a good place to head to if you are looking for anything ranging from embroidered khadi tops, smart wrap-around khadi skirts, and cool khadi kurtas and shirts for the upcoming summer, specially the white airy variety (yes, the kind politicians wear!). Cuts and finishes have definitely improved, though there’s enough room for more. And of course, saris in great abundance.
Even as stall owners complained that real business was happening only over the weekends (and that’s when fresh stocks would arrive), shoppers went about picking up towels, bags and purses, readymade garments, dress materials, jewellery, fabric and carpets, and knick-knacks.
With most khadi-making units and co-operatives organised state-wise, Jammu and Kashmir and Karnataka seem to have the largest presence. There’s also a small representation from the north-eastern states.
Straw, grass and cane products, jute products and all kinds of wooden furniture as well as terracotta, caps and masks made from lavancha roots, jostle for space in this melee where you will also find tons of bling and one-gram gold jewellery! (I wonder what the latter bit has to do with khadi and village industries but they have such a large presence they can’t be ignored.) Footwear is in abundance though, I didn’t get to see much of the anticipated Kolhapuris. There is also the home-based entrepreneur doling out home-made chocolate or a stall dedicated entirely to traditional pooja decorations and accessories!
What also set me wondering about the quality, and the veracity of one group of products is all those claiming “herbal” or “natural” cures for everything from a cold and dandruff to acidity and diabetes.
Do check out the vast range of traditional Kashmiri aari, and pashmina embroidery sets on sale, though, many are on georgettes and crepes! You will also be wise to look out for yardage of material, saris and salwar kameez sets. Carpets, mats and rugs, bed sheets and spreads, razhais or quilts, shawls, foot-mats, are other good home buys that come at very reasonable rates. There’s also gorgeously coloured khadi-silk to be bought by the yard – I mean nice bright pinks and purples too. Woollens and kids’ clothing are also good buys.
But somehow yes, I keep going back to talking about the food. And there’s more of it. If you are hungry with all the energy you spent walking around the stalls at the exhibition, (you’ll need a minimum of two hours if you are curious enough) there’s always mirchi bhajji and large happalas, the ubiquitous chaat and popcorn, and a variety of juices to pick from.
If you haven’t yet been to the exhibition it’s high time, because February 11 is the last day. The exhibition is on at the Government Boy’s PU College Grounds, Malleswaram 18th cross. Entry is Rs. 5 and the exhibition is open up to 9 p.m., depending on crowds.
BHUMIKA K.
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