For all those who have wondered how certain handicraft items were made, or would like to learn from the masters, the Sargaalaya Iringal International Craft Festival is the place to be. Here you find some amazing pieces of art from across the country. You can watch them taking form and interact with the artisans. You can even learn something from them and if a particular piece catches your fancy, you can buy it.
Artisans and craftsmen from 22 States have camped at the Sargaalaya Art and Craft Village in Iringal, near Vadagara, where the International Craft Festival is being held under the aegis of the Department of Tourism, Union Department of Culture in association with the Kerala State Handicraft Development Corporation.
Besides the regular stalls at Sargaalaya, around 250 additional stalls have been put up, including those by some award-winning craftsmen and artisans. The stalls feature various traditional painting styles of the country like Gond, Potachitra, Kalamkari, Tanjore, Warli and Madhubani besides the traditional Kerala mural style. Different traditional textiles such as Bandhni, Batik, embroidery styles like Chikankari, Phulkari, Pichwai, traditional ornaments made of silver and precious stones, wooden sculptures, metal works and terracotta artefacts. It is a wonder to see how pine leaves, bamboos, canes, coir and even food waste become useful artefacts at the hands of skilled craftsmen. Blue Pottery from Rajasthan, camel belt carpet from Rajasthan, cane products from Assam, ceramic products from Assam and Minakari work from Maharashtra are sure to attract many to the festival.
Dances of various hues
Bihu dance from Assam, Garba from Gujarat, Karakattam and Kavadiyattam from Tamil Nadu, Rouf dance from Jammu and Kashmir, Mathuri from Telangana, Charkula and Mayur dance from Uttar Pradesh and Thadiyachafla from Uttarakhand besides tribal art forms under the aegis of KIRTADS will be staged at the festival on different days.
The food festival will give more prominence to the traditional food items of Malabar. The Craft Festival will conclude on January 5.
