Date:29/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/29/stories/2008092958280200.htm

Kerala - Kochi

Craftsmanship of artisans on show

— Photo: Vipin Chandran

RIOT OF COLOURS: Dry and artificial flowers are a big draw at the ongoing Gandhi Bazaar artisan festival on the Ernakulam Siva Temple Ground, organised by the Kerala Artisan Development Corporation.

Kochi: The craftsmanship of as many as 150 artisans from across the country is showcased at the Gandhi Shilp Bazaar organised by the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Union Ministry of Textiles, at the Siva Temple Ground here.

The dazzling and colourful craft varieties of Dhokara casting, stone carving, palm leaf engraving and appliqué works of Orissa, Mithila paintings, tribal jewellery, con shells, jute crafts of West Bengal, Sitalpatti and terracotta crafts of North Eastern States, glass toys, miniature paintings, kora grass mats of Tamil Nadu, fibre-based craft of Kerala etc are on show at the bazaar.

The main objective of the mega event is to invite artisans from all over the country to arrange for a direct market linkage between them and the art-loving public, according to A.R. Chaudhuri, regional director, Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Chennai. The participating craft persons can feel the real need and taste of consumers and could orient the designs as per the market requirements. They can also showcase their traditional heritage of arts and crafts to the art connoisseurs of Kochi. In order to create cluster awareness and promote the concept of self-help groups, 30 stalls have been reserved for handicrafts self-help groups from all over the country, he said.

As result of the implementation of the various developmental schemes of the government, the export of handicrafts has gone up from Rs.5,058 crore in 1998-99 to Rs.17,540 crore during 2007-08. The U.S., U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Japan and the Middle East countries are the major importers of Indian handicrafts, he said.

The bazaar will be open till October 5.