Artisans from Orissa have spent two long nights in the train to get you some of their ethnic goodies. The Guide hunts down the best buys from the craft fair
Artisans from Orissa have spent two long nights in the train to get you some of their ethnic goodies. The Guide hunts down the best buys from the craft fair
In a nondescript room opposite Regal Cinema, six craftsmen from all over India show you what cultural diversity means. They sit together, bonding in variously-accented Hindi and sell what they've got from their respective states: Orissa, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Kashmir and Madhya Pradesh. The banner at the entrance might welcome you to Orissa Craft Carnival, but it's a tiny journey around India out there.
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A Pattachitra painting depicting a scene from Krishna's life (Rs 1,200). pics/ Bipin Kokate |
The handicrafts and handloom exhibition-cum-sale sponsored by the Orissa Government gets you handmade goodies in long-forgotten or traditional art forms. Pattachitra paintings depicting scenes from mythologies find their way on a cloth canvas coated with a mixture of chalk and tamarind seeds. Painted palm leaves serve as bookmarks that we'd love to flaunt on a read-in progress, while bamboo straws form a wall-hanging with handcarved wooden animals on it.
The patchwork bag in appliquu00e9 work that travelled all the way from Pipli village in Puri was too tempting a buy to resist. Brightly painted, these bags sport traditional motifs like elephants, peacocks and flowers stitched to the base with beautiful embroidery work. Cloth lampshades, palm leaf and cane paintings are other curios on sale.
The rest of the exhibition has stalls dedicated to dress materials and sarees from the other states, which don't seem to be as impressive as the handicrafts. Nonetheless, the kurtas in Kashmiri work, sarees with Dhakai work from Bengal, Batik-printed dresses and Kanjeevaram sarees from Tamil Nadu are worth a dekko. Don't forget to check out the award-winning work on sarees from West Bengal a single thread is handwoven into a beautiful paisley pattern on the Dhakai saree.
The exhibition gives you a chance to interact with the creators of the handicraft directly. Artisans relate fascinating stories behind the art forms and their relevance in native culture. For once, you can bond with a seller who's making sure your pocket isn't hurt at the end of the shopping spree.
Till: November 13, 10 am to 9 pm. At: Shilpi Kendra, The Majestic, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, Fort.
