The sunshine yellows, deep reds and greens, of the Channapatna, toys light up Kairali's exhibition cum sale of handloom and handicrafts. These wooden toys can add an extra touch of colour to any Navratri Golu. The exhibition has a good choice of artefacts that can decorate your golu steps. Artisans from several parts of India such as Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh come together to present their wares..
“Authentic handicrafts from Kerala is our specialty. Rosewood statues, brass lamps, banana fibre mats, soft-wood fruit baskets etc. can be found here. We also have traditional Aranmula mirrors on sale for the first time. These mirrors are one of a kind,” says Smitha, head of Kairali Coimbatore.
With shiny brass handles, the mirrors carry a certain mystery. They are made of bell metal that is treated with a process known only to one family in the village of Aranmula, on the banks of River Pampa. “Some believe that possession of the metal mirror could bring good luck,” she adds. Smiling gloriously with flowing robes and scarves, a grand headdress and face paint is a rosewood Kathakali dancer. There are matching rosewood richly caparisoned elephants, Kathakali heads and snake-boats with pointed prows. The sale also has semi-precious stone jewellery, pure leather goods, khadi shirts for men, kurtis, khadi silk saris, salwar suits and velvet-cotton bedspreads. “We leave the weaving to the women since it requires a lot of patience,” smiles T.A. Ramesh from Madurai. He patiently explains the nuances of a bright Rameswaram silk sari. “The specialty of these saris is the thread work in the border and pallu,” he says. Ornate parasols similar to the ones that tower above the caparisoned elephants at the Pooram festival are on sale too.
The Kerala Crafts Fair 2010 is on at Jeyam Hall, Race Course till September 19 from 10.00 am to 8.00 pm. Entry is free. For details call: 9952598027.