10-day crafts mela inaugurated

A 10-day ‘Crafts Mela' being organised by ‘Poompuhar,' the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, at Moghal Hall in Moghalrajapuram was inaugurated on Friday. Mayor M.V. Ratna Bindu, the chief guest at the inaugural session, lauded the organisers for bringing wide range of artefacts from different parts of Tamil Nadu to the city. She appeared smitten by the idols made of ‘panchaloha' and the woodcarvings, and described them as special attractions of the exhibition. Deputy Mayor S.P. Gritton was also present at the inaugural session.

Addressing the media later, Manager of the exhibition D. Rajendran said that the objective of conducting the exhibition was to provide a platform for tribal artisans to market their artefacts. “Visitors to this exhibition can actually see the making of these artefacts,” he said, adding that the idol of lord Nataraja made of ‘panchaloha' with a height of five feet would be a special attraction of this annual fair. “We are also displaying Sugundi sarees from Madurai, Ghagra cholis from Gujarat, Rangoli sarees and bed sheets from Rajasthan here. A special discount of 10 per cent is being offered on all the products,” he said. There are also paintings, woodcarvings, lamps and lampshades made of brass, art plates and paintings from Tanjore, artefacts made of stones and pebbles on display. The exhibition will be open every day between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. till March 7.