The new-look Lepakshi Emporium in Gandhinagar has been thrown open to the public with a handicrafts and handloom exhibition inaugurated on its premises, bringing Nirmal painting teakwood products, Mysore rosewood works, Kalamkari sarees and so on within the reach of local crafts enthusiasts.
The exhibition cum sale of these products at Lepakshi after completion of renovation is aimed at creating and enhancing employment opportunities for the Lepakshi handicrafts and handloom artisans in different parts of the State.After the severe damage due to electric short circuit in first floor on February 14 last year, the renovation is now completed at the emporium at a cost of Rs. 20 lakh. In this floor, the Nirmal painting furniture, rosewood puja mandirams, furniture, dress materials, Narayanpet cotton sarees, Mangalagiri handlooms, and Kalamkari dresses are on display cum sale, said Lepakshi Emporium branch manager D. Parthasarathy.
There had been good patronage to the rosewood products, Mr. Parthasarathy said and added that many people were showing interest in buying elephant carvings in small and big sizes. The prices range from Rs. 200 to Rs. 3,000. “There is unforeseen demand for elephant carvings with trunks waving in air. This is stated to be a symbol of plentiful blessings and auspiciousness.
Many visitors from foreign countries are also going for these wooden products,” he added.
Nirmal teakwood painting handicrafts from Adilabad are also in demand and the products include teak swings, sofas, moving chairs and double cots. The natural colours used by Nirmal artisans in the paintings look natural and most original. There are also Nirmal teakwood Balaji carvings of the size of two feet and three feet. Countryside women vendor carvings are also popular.
In the handloom section, the expo exhibits Narayanpet sarees in cotton and silk categories and dhotis, which have good patronage.
Kalamkari sarees, bedsheets and lungis from Pedana artisans in Krishna district are on display.
Mangalagiri sarees, ready made dresses for women and other products are available at the expo.
