An array of colours, designs and patterns on a variety of fabric vie for the visitors' attention at the Special Handloom Expo of Co-optex that got under way at Valluvar Kottam here on Tuesday.
More than 2,000 different designs on silk from Pollachi, ceremonial zari from Kancheepuram and exquisitely designed saris from other places of the State promise to take the visitors on a tour of tradition this Deepavali.
While the Semmozhi silk sari with the 247 letters of Tamil alphabet woven on it, and another with couplets of Thirukkural spun on it may be masterpieces on display, hand-woven saris with elaborate designs are the quick take-away among visitors. Pure silk saris from Vanavasi, multi-hued saris from Tirubuvanam, Negamam cotton from Coimbatore and printed ones from Salem are among the attractions. The other exhibits include cotton lungis, Angavastrams, towels, furnishings and foot mats.
Inaugurating the exhibition, Member of Parliament Kanimozhi said that initiatives such as this would help the artisans and weavers exhibit and market their products better and interact with their customers directly.
Handlooms and Textiles Minister K.K.S.S.R. Ramachandran told reporters that discounts up to 30 per cent would be offered on the products at the exhibits. The price of the saris exhibited ranges from Rs.400 to several thousand rupees. The exhibition is open on all days till November 2 from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
