Artisans from across the country have kept a variety of aesthetic handicraft and handloom items on display as part of the ‘Dastkar Mela’ organised by Pushpanjali Khadi Gramodhyoug Sansthan at Gandhi Memorial Museum grounds.
Speaking about the expo, Ashok Sharma, head of the artisans’ society, said they had handpicked the handicrafts and handlooms to be kept on display and had artisans from different States to displaying their unique works.
“The hand-painted Khurja pottery by artisans of Uttar Pradesh is the highlight of our expo. The stall at the expo displays among other items dinner sets, coffee mugs and fruit bowls, all of which are microwaveable as well,” he explained.
“Artefacts made of black terracotta from Rajasthan are unique since the colour is achieved not through paints, but by baking them over fire at a specific temperature. Many people like them since they are naturally made,” he added.
Handicraft items made of iron from Rajasthan, wooden toys from Saharanpur and jewellery made of silver and precious stones were also on display.
A salesperson said the range of handlooms on display included Batik and embroidery prints from Ahmedabad, cotton embroidered kurtas from Jaipur, Banaras silk saris and Khadi shirts and kurtas.
Jute silk saris from Orissa, which were hand-painted and had illustrations from Madhubani paintings, were in demand, the salesperson added.
The organisers said, “Bags, wall hangings and mats with appliqué work, which are made by artisans in Andhra Pradesh, are also on display.” The exhibition would be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. till September 8, they added.
