Mela of crafts

POOMPUHAR'S `GIFT Fair' which opens at Rajaji Hall today has a variety of hand-crafted articles to suit every pocket and taste. The ingenious craft skills of the traditional craftsperson have been used on wood, sandalwood, pitch, cloth, bronze, brass, stone, papier mache, cane, jute and glass to fashion a variety of gift items ranging from the Swamimalai bronzes to beautifully sculpted marble dust figures, from sandalwood gods and goddesses to cane baskets and jute bags, white metal and black metal artefacts, and much more.

Sandalwood gift items, some crafted in Haryana and Jaipur, are a great attraction as are the unusual Khurja pottery lampstands and Karigiri pottery. A dying craft, Karigiri's lovely ``magic pot'' is likely to disappear from the craft scene unless it is actively revived.

Delicately crafted whitewood and rosewood figures from Kerala, marble dust artefacts, gods and goddesses as well as tiny brass `diyas', stone carvings, etc. are some ideal gift items available. Pith models of well-known monuments, cane and jute baskets and bags are easy on the eye and the pocket and offer a choice of gift items.

Also available at the fair are Tanjore paintings, Hoshiarpur inlay work tables and a choice of textiles, bedspreads, etc., from Panipat, Jaipur and Andhra. Sankheda and rosewood furniture items are also on display.

Poompuhar's Gift fair will be on till the month end at Rajaji Hall, 81, Anna Salai, Chennai-2.

PUSHPA CHARI

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