Artisan Ahmed Hifal unfurls a beautifully warm Pashmina shawl. Hailing from Kashmir, he is one of the many artisans at the Gujarat Mela, organised by All India Artisans Organisation, who have come from different parts of India to sell their handicrafts and handloom products.
Ahmed’s stall also has saris in mulberry silk, crepe and raw silk, and kurtis in pashmina. Pen holders, jewel boxes, key chains, bells, and car hangings made of papier-mâché, are the other highlights of his stall. Subash Chandra Pradhan, from Orissa, woos you with his collection of Sambalpuri saris, kurtis, and salwar materials. The saris, with intricate thread-work of elephants and peacocks, look ethnic and come at Rs.7,000. “We use vegetable dyes. The labour and time is more for designing than weaving. It takes at least 30 days to finish a sari”, says Subash.
The exhibition displays jhumkas, pendants, and bangles. There are the special lac bangles from Rajasthan in glittering reds, yellows and greens, and rings, necklaces and earrings in lapis lazuli, jade and other semi-precious stones, all the way from Jaipur.
Massagers, fruit bowls, bangle stands, ashtrays, ladles, pen holders and vessels, of teak wood, from Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, are showcased. Wall hangings, show pieces in white metal, and wooden and brass sculptures are a few other attractions of the exhibition.
Apart from these, there are Jaipur kurtas that are priced between Rs. 145 and Rs.395, Khadi kurtas for men, priced between Rs. 285 and Rs. 400, and chiffon dupattas that come at Rs.99. Rajasthani bedsheets, Jaipur quilts, Hyderabad cotton saris, Tirupur T-shirts and crockery sets are available. On your way out, you can indulge in the chulbul imli or roasted supari at the mouth fresheners’ stall.
The exhibition is on till February 18, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., at Jayams Hall, Race Course.
