The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : A variety of rudrakshas on show at Poompuhar

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Monday, Nov 09, 2009
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A variety of rudrakshas on show at Poompuhar

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: One of the specialities on offer at Poompuhar here is Rudraksha beads in different styles, sourced from Nepal and the higher Himalayan reaches in India.

The speciality handicrafts exhibition brought here by the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation has rudrakashas in different ranges. Amongst the precious and semi-precious stones are emeralds, jade, rubies and moonstones in beads or in loose form.

This time around, says R. Sekar, Manager of Poompuhar, they expected sales of Rs. 11 lakh as against a Rs. 7-lakh turnover last year. “We have already seen a very encouraging response,” he says, adding that hotels and software companies were amongst their top buyers.

Apart from this, the exhibition showcases Tanjore paintings, brass lamps and large statues of deities and figures from mythology. “One of our specialities this year is the Ganesha idol in light green, made from a variant of jade,” said Mr. Sekar. Carved out of a single stone, the idol is two-feet-tall and costs a whopping Rs. 6.5 lakh.

The corporation has sourced these products from different parts of Tamil Nadu and hopes to help artisans during the exhibition, which is on till November 14 (including Sunday). A discount of 10 per cent is on offer for handicrafts and 20 per cent on textiles. Call 25580582 for more details.

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