Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | NXg | Friday Review | Cinema Plus | Young World | Property Plus | Quest |

An alluring range of artefacts

Photo: K.R. Deepak

Colourful weaves Visitors selecting dresses at the exhibition

Abounding art forms, timeless weaves, intricate craftsmanship and a host of skilled crafts - it’s a veritable melting pot of cultures. Artisans from all parts of the country have displayed their skill and creativity at the ongoing exhibition-cum-sale of Lepakshi at Viswapriya Function Hall. In spite of the metropolitan musings, ethnic roots have always held an appeal with the urban masses and thus given an impetus to the myriad art forms created by traditional artisans of the country. The myriad facets and moods of the country are captured here under the precincts of one roof. Each item - be it the traditional terracotta pot wares or the artistic motifs of the Kalamkari dress materials - reflects superior craftsmanship and aesthetics.

While the traditional breed of artisans have been upgrading their skills to meet the market expectations, dwindling income levels have been a cause of concern for them. Some of these artisans have travelled thousands of miles to participate, and business at most exhibitions has not been up to the mark in the wake of the recession. Vinod Sharma from Jaipur who sells vegetable dye block print bedsheets and dresses says that sales have gone down by almost 50 per cent and exhibitions cannot afford to miss weekend slots. “Most buyers are looking for cheaper varieties. So we have accordingly developed a separate lot for them. Bargaining used to be very less in exhibitions since visitors would get quality items at very reasonable rates. But the situation has changed now,” he says. Many artisans complain that the breed of compulsive buyers has almost vanished. People are careful with their purchases.

However, there are some who disagree. Mahaveer, who is participating for the first time, points out that the impact of recession is more on exotic items like silk and costly artefacts. His collection of ‘Anarkali’ style dresses of worn by Sonam Kapoor in the film Delhi-6 has been a good hit. Adjacent to his stall are a range of collections of khadi dress materials with soothing embroidery priced at Rs.350. These have attracted many buyers who prefer the comfortable feel of the khadi in summer.

Transportation costs and damages have also been a problem for artisans coming from distant places. Rajesh from U.P. has an impressive range of ceramic pottery in various shapes and sizes. These are microwave-proof, he claims. “Sales have been average so far. We also incurred losses up to Rs.10,000 due to damage of goods during transport. But we are pinning all hopes on the weekend. It is a crucial sales period for us,” he says.

The exhibition has an impressive range of handlooms. Kalamkari with its lucid and colourful depiction of the epics and landscapes is the available in different varieties here. Materials in a range of soothing colours in soft cottons are available here. For the ensemble, check out the sarees and dress materials from Bengal, Mangalagiri, and Pochampalli ranging from Rs.250 onwards and a blinding array of tops, skirts, chaniya cholis, bedsheets, and cushion covers. The exhibition is on till March 30.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail