Where to find the tiniest dhoti for your 5-year-old

Folk Art For Sale WHAT's ON hit the Orissa Craft Carnival to hunt down the best buys

If you are looking for traditional handicraft items for your drawing room or handbags and pouches with unique patchworks, malls are definitely not the right place to go to.
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Head to Orissa Craft Carnival u2013 exhibition-cum-sale of exquisite handloom and handicraft items sponsored by the Government of Orissa.
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Most of the items available in this exhibition are from Orissa while a few are from other states like Gujarat.

Orissa is quite popular for traditional crafts.

You can check out elegant jewellery in silver filigree work of Cuttack, known for delicate artistry and great finish, Pattachitra, a form of unique craft, brass and bell metal ware, particularly vases and candle stands that are long lasting and tribal paintings in acrylic and other mediums.
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The multi-coloured stone statues, papier-mu00e2chu00e9 and terracotta figures coated with lacquer are also striking.

Plus, the prices won't pinch your pocket and almost every item is priced reasonably to fit into everybody's budget.u00a0

At: Shilpi Kendra, The Majestic, Shahid Bhagat Singh Road, opposite Regal Cinema, Gateway of India.
Till: June 3 (closed on Sundays)
Time: 10 am to 9 pm

Letter holder with patchwork
Letter bags can be a valuable addition to your stock of stationery.

Letter bags with one, two or three pockets are available. Plain coloured cloth is stitched in the shape of tribals, animals, birds and flowers, and these patches are hand-stitched on theu00a0 cloth.
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If you like this style, you will also be interested in their range of pouches, handbags and wall hangings sporting similar work.
cost: 3-pocket letter holder: Rs 120
Pouches: Rs 60
Wall hangings: Rs 150u00a0

Lac toys and stationary
Browse through a wide range of toys and games like ball game and puzzles made out of wood. Women folk in Orissa have been indulging in the art of making lac toys since ancient times.

A whistle in the shape of an engine and sharpeners with various animal faces like cats and donkeys painted on them are hot favourites among kids.
cost: Ball game: Rs 90
Puzzles: Rs 100
Sharpeners: Rs 30
Whistles: Rs 60u00a0

Palm Leaf paintings
Palm leaf paintings are one of the most ancient art forms in Orissa. Palm leaf illustrations are needle engravings with colour fillings.

Colours used for palm leaf paintings are natural vegetable colours and applied either to emphasise the inscriptions or to fill up blank space with a muted effect.
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Moreover, it is foldable and is a 3-way art. These circular structures at the centre have flaps with images of animals, deities and dancing women folk.
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Besides these paintings, you will also find cute bookmarks and greetings made with the same technique.
Cost: Rs 1,500

Pattachitra
Pattachitras are used as wall hangings. These Patta paintings are based on religious themes and depict stories of Rama and Krishna.
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Rasa Lila, Vastra Haran, Kaliya Dahan are some of the popular topics. The paintings are on cloth, which the artists make themselves with a mixture of chalk and gum from tamarind seeds to give it a leathery finish.
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These paintings are made out of bright natural earth and stone colours as well as vegetable colours. You will also find coconut pattas similar paintings made on green coconuts and can be used us a hangings.
Cost: Rs 600 (cloth patta); Rs 450 (Coconut patta)

Cloth Lampshades
Cloth lanterns with thread embroidery and tiny mirror work look perfect in a room that sports an earthy look. This particular work is known as Applique in Orissa and has originated as a temple art.

These lanterns are available in bright colours like red, yellow, green and blue. Wall hangings and dress materials in Appliquu00e9 are also available.
cost: Rs 120

Idol of lord jagannath
Art of Orissa mostly revolves around the deities like Lord Jagannath. The idol of the deity is created out of wood and hand painted by artisans.
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It has fine details and bright colours and is found in almost every household in Orrisa.
cost: Rs 150

dhoti-kedia for kids
Now you know where to find traditional attire like Dhoti and Kedia (high- waist tops) for kids in the smallest possible size.
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The Dhoti is made of pure cotton while the Kedia is stitched out of Tussar silk with detailed hand embroidery.
cost: Rs 140

Block Printed Cushion Covers
This stall caught the attention of every woman at the exhibition. Bedsheets, pillow covers and cushion covers in various traditional prints like Bandhni, block prints, Batik and Dandiya print are on display.
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A complete set includes 3 cushion covers, 2 bolster covers and a bedsheet.
cost: Rs 360 for a set