Date:20/10/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/10/20/stories/2006102006660200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

`Kala Madhyam Folk Mela' begins today

Staff Reporter

There will be folk songs and dances

BANGALORE: The Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath is all set for the sixth social entrepreneurship event, "Kala Madhyam Folk Mela," to be held from Friday to Tuesday.

Kala Madhyam attempts to bridge the gap between rural artisans and urban markets, and to bring folk life into the public domain. Over 200 artisans from 21 States are expected to take part in the event. There will be folk songs and dances and food items from Uttaranchal, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. The objective of the mela is to promote cultural tourism and create a forum for interaction between potential clients from industry, architect/interior design sector and artisans. It is expected to help artisans with direct market facilities, thereby eliminating middlemen. It is also aimed at enhancing artisans' knowledge of marketing, design, and product development, and expanding the market reach. According to Munira Sen, managing trustee of Kala Madhyam, this year's mela was significant, especially in the light of Chinese handicrafts invading the Indian market. "Everyday 25,000 metres of Chinese silk enters our market at Rs. 9 a metre. The influx of Chinese and Indonesian toys and other items will further marginalise our potters and artisans," she says. Over 63 million artisans in the country depend on the income from the handicrafts sector. "Hence the need for creating newer, direct to consumer forums without the interference of middlemen," Ms. Sen says.