Date:02/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/02/stories/2008100251220200.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam

Colourful handlooms for festival buyers

Staff Reporter

Photo: C.V. Subrahmanyam

A stall owner at the Gujarat Handicrafts Exhibition displaying Sambalpuri saris. —

VISAKHAPATNAM: Planning to go for some cool clothing this Dasara? Rush to the Gujarat Handicrafts Exhibition at Maharastra Mandal and have your pick from a wide range of brightly coloured handlooms on display.

The expo, being organised by Gujarat Emporium, also showcases handlooms and handicrafts from other States of the country apart from Gujarat. Sambalpuri saris in ‘Ikkat’ design are available in myriad hues. “We arrange the threads in order, tie them and dye them before weaving them in a special technique,” said Ramesh Chandra Sahoo, an artisan.

“The prices ranges from as low as Rs.240 to Rs.3,000. The high-quality saris have a 120 count and soft cotton is used in their making,” he says. Gujarati dress materials, gagra cholis, tops and handwork skirts are available in eye-catching colours and designs. Handwork cotton skirts for little girls can be had for as low as Rs.150. Shantiniketan leather bags can be purchased for a mere Rs.200. Prices of jute bags range from Rs.70 to Rs.150 and cane bags range from Rs.125 to Rs.200.

‘Patachitra’ works (palm leaf paintings) reflect the ingenuity of our artisans from Orissa. Some of the paintings are neatly framed with special wild sticks giving the photo frames a ‘touch of class’. Pictures of Lord Jagannadh and other deities as also sceneries have been framed. Prices range from a mere Rs.150 to Rs.450.

There are also palm-leaf paintings that can be rolled like our ancient palm-leaf manuscripts or displayed on the walls. While on the outer surface one can find paintings from mythology, on the under surface one can find erotic art and pictures of animals.Bengal cotton saris are available for prices ranging from Rs.400 to Rs.4,000. Flower vases, decorative items and idols of Lord Ganesh in Ganga clay and porcelain are also on display. The expo will be on till October 5.