The all-India handicrafts exhibition-cum-sale at the Poompuhar Showroom provides an opportunity to savour handcrafted treasures from across India.
The collection includes the famed lacquer bangles from Jaipur, fine Varanasi silk bags with elaborate threadwork, Sesham wood boxes from Himachal Pradesh, bright jute pouches from Kolkata , flamboyant table spreads embroidered with sequins and zari from Gujarat and swirling lampshades with appliqué patchwork in various shapes and sizes from Orissa.
Women have plenty to choose in the form of beaded bags, Kashmiri shawls and scarves, kurtis with mirror work, and handloom saris from Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu including the famous Madurai Chungadi sarees.
An assortment of one gram gold jewellery set with garnet, turquoise and tiger stone from Hyderabad and Jaipur are on display along with pearls and corals. Up for grabs is also a pretty pink and jade necklace priced around Rs.4000.
Carved country wood door hangings, cedar walking sticks with brass handles, cedar lampstands with intricate animal carvings, a set of fine silk peacock-blue dining mats and coasters and a three-dimensional embossed wall painting of Krishna and the gopis, framed in rosewood are proof of exceptional craftsmanship.
Also for sale are miniature white wood animal carvings, whitewood vases, bamboo jewel boxes, terracotta figures, metal embossed portraits, Tanjore paintings and leather pouches and wallets. A sampling of furniture include rosewood corner stands, tables and reclining chairs with inlaid patchwork.
For those looking for low-priced keepsakes, the carved wooden pens, key chains, boxes and pen stands come in handy. Ganesha is ubiquitous with figurines available in brass, coloured marble, jade and sandstone.
Poompuhar also has a substantial portion dedicated to artefacts from Tamil Nadu which include papier mache Thanjavur dancing dolls, white firewood table mats, coasters and pen stands from Neyveli priced between Rs. 25- 180 and batik paintings by the Deaf Association, Chennai. Mr.K.Chidambaranathan, Manager of the Showroom, said a sales target of Rs.14 lakh was set for the month-long sale. Bulk orders are undertaken and a 10 per cent discount is offered for purchases over Rs. 5000.
The exhibition is on till June 30 from 10 a.m to 8 p.m, excep Sundays.
