All-woman do

Sampoorn has organised an exhibition of handicrafts by housewives

Photo: Murali Kumar K.

A WIDE RAGE There is lots to see and buy.

If you are one of those dinosaurs who think women just sit and watch soaps at home, think again. Sampoorn, a co-operative that markets goods manufactured by housewives and entrepreneurs, is holding its exhibition beginning today till May 15, at V.R. Plaza near Commercial Street. On show are terracotta, linen, kurtis, jute products, jewellery, pottery and all kinds of handicrafts from all over the country.

"We work whenever we have free time. But as the exhibition nears, the pace picks up," says Sumitra Karanth, who is exhibiting her handmade cotton clothes at the exhibition.

Sandhya Sivaram, a terracotta designer, is exhibiting her black terracotta ware. It includes both types of ware — burnt and painted. The items range from simple flowerpots to masks that can be hung on the wall. They are priced between Rs. 100 and Rs. 250.

But it is not just housewives who churn out interesting handicrafts who are part of the exhibition, but also those enterprising ones who want to check if they have any marketing skills.

Ms. Wahal is exhibiting saris from all over India at her stall. "I have my brother in Ahmedabad who sends block printed saris. I also have zalak saris and kalamkari ones. I have contacts with co-operatives in Andhra Pradesh and other places, and they send me the saris," she says.

Even husbands pitch in while their wives are busy at home. Charles pitches in to sell one-gram gold jewellery as his wife Mini is making more of the stuff at home.

"She makes more jewellery when the exhibition is going on, so I try to help with the stall. Our jewellery is good to wear everyday because it doesn't cost very much. You don't have to fret if it gets lost unlike real gold ornaments," he says. The jewellery includes everything from bangles to small earrings. Charles says that all of them have a minute quantity of gold in them. They are priced between Rs. 200 and Rs. 1,000.

For the health conscious, there are aloe vera plants and juice available here, with the plants priced between Rs. 10 and Rs. 30 depending on the size. Also there is a stall selling some delicious choorans from Rajasthan. They consist of all kinds of dried fruits and herbs, with pick being the dried amlas with honey and the dried mangoes. They are priced at Rs. 40 for 100 gm.

The list of items on sale at this exhibition is quite large (jute bags, home made chocolate, rubber wood items, and lots more) and you can leisurely stroll around the stalls, for, there's quite a bit to be checked out. For more information, call Shalini Sudarshan on 9845597553.

ANAND SANKAR

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