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A platform for rural artisans
Craftsmanship: Handicraft products on display at the Grama Shree Mela in Thiruvananthapuram.
The lingering smell of natural fibre, herbs and handloom cloth welcomes visitors to the Manjalikulam grounds. The Grama Shree Mela, organised by the Swadeshi Science Movement and the Council for Advancement of People’s Action and Rural Technology (CAPART), has most of the elements one finds in a typical village fair.
The 10-day event is aimed at providing rural artisans a platform to exhibit and market their products. Over 100 non- governmental organisations (NGOs) and groups receiving assistance from CAPART are participating in the exhibition- cum-sale. The stalls feature a wide array of eco-friendly products, including jute bags, soft luggage and carpets, garments, handloom cloth toys, herbal medicines, leather, cane, bamboo goods, handicraft, furniture, ceramics, metal works, food products, hand-made soaps and natural fibre products.
Some of the items that have proved to be a draw at the fair include Madhubani paintings using natural dyes, pickles made of attractive bamboo shoot, coloured candles, marble figures for garden display and hand-made pots.
The festival is designed as a direct marketing effort by bringing together consumers in cities with rural artisans and traditional craftsmen. CAPART is providing designs, technical inputs and marketing support to the participants. A majority of the environment-friendly products on show are intended to help reduce the use of plastics. According to Parvati Menon, secretary general of the organising committee, the Grama Shree Mela was conceived on the lines of an Indian village fair. She said it was expected to maximise the marketing potential for rural products.
One of the attractions of the festival is the demonstration of cut flower and mushroom cultivation. Workshops on product development and marketing support, public talks by scientists and cultural programmes have been arranged as part of the event.
A home pavilion featuring traditional handicrafts from different parts of India is another draw. A photo exhibition of traditional village fairs has also been organised.
CAPART has set up a stall to explain its activities. Buyer-seller meets are being organised to assist marketing of the products. Participants can also avail themselves of web marketing support for rural products. The fair will be on up to December 24.
T. Nandakumar
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