In this searing hot month, the cultural bill has also run dry. A couple of ongoing exhibitions are filling in the empty evenings. Though the crowd has been light both at the national art and craft fair at Vijay Mahal and the Rajasthan mela at the Rotary Club of Madurai, Viswanathapuram, the artisans who have come with their products from across the country feel such opportunities give them the required exposure and some business.
For a ‘national' fair, the Vijay Mahal woefully falls short of space. The Rajasthan mela is almost a replica of the national fair. Many products are over-lapping. But the good point is both put together help to support more craftspersons selling handloom and handicrafts.
Till June 24th, both these venues will play the discount shopping locations offering a range of products from traditional to funky and contemporary. There is something for just about everyone, from artwork and sculptures, to clothing, jewellery, accessories and other knickknacks.
From Andhra's bidri work to Orissa's appliqué work, semi-precious stones to Hyderabadi pearls, jute shoes and bamboo carvings, some unusual gifts and souvenirs, colourful linens and other furnishings -- the range and the prices are decent.
You don't have to be a confirmed shopaholic or be a phobic about shopping to drop in at such places. For those you enjoy shopping, such fairs are a good place to browse and enjoy the myriad work on display and pick up some unique gift items, as each hand crafted item has its own distinction.
The mastery of the weavers gets highlighted in the silk, silk cotton and pure cotton saris and other fabric from Bengal, Lucknow and Andhra.
The folk paintings known as “patta chitras”, terra cotta items from West Bengal, lac bangles from Jaipur, wooden toys from Mysore, furniture from Sahranpur, glass bangles of Uttar Pradesh, antique wood items from Jodhpur and Karaikudi are all showcased at the national fair.
Items of daily use like fancy letter holders, diaries, telephone books, pen and mobile holders key chains, colourful bags with Kutch embroidery, wall hangings are finding easy buyers.
SaysBhagirath Kumar, the manager of the national crafts, “Back home, many of the artisans don't have showrooms to display their products. We always bring their products to such exhibitions in the hope of better sales.”
"I run a small production unit manufacturing hosiery items in Kanpur. We make good stuff and it is also cheaper than the showroom price. Till now my sale has been satisfactory here," says Lakhan.
The collection put up for sale at the Rajasthan mela goes beyond the State. There is lot of fancy dress material from Gujarat, Phulkari work from Punjab, sofa and cushion covers from Panipat, UP besides the bandhini, ghagra choli and lac bangles from Jaipur. Such fairs not only bring the craftsmen into limelight, but also offer an opportunity to the locals to find out more about arts and crafts of other regions.
This season, not many of them have done good business but they want to return to the city.
“Schools have just reopened, marriage season has just begun. That is why may be less people have turned up,” justifies Bhagirath Kumar.
Nothing really exotic at the two exhibitions, but perhaps one can afford to do a little damage to the wallet thinking about the welfare of arts and crafts people from the hinterland.
