Finest thread work, quality fabric, imposing colours, eye-catching range and a pan-Indian collection. This is how the Lepakshi Cotton and Silk Mela can be summed up.
The mela by the Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, which is under way at the Sindhura Hall in Ramanuja Circle, is timed with Sankranti festival and is drawing huge crowds.
The festive-eve expos at this sprawling hall have always ensured huge footfalls and the artisans, who are well aware of it, never miss the occasion. Though a similar exhibition was held at neighbouring Nellore last fortnight, the artisans thronged Tirupati again, thanks to the mixed blend of local denizens and visiting tourist crowd.
Affordable prices
The stalls from 'up north’ are raking in the moolah, thanks to the vibrant texture, rich diversity and affordable prices. Bhagalpur silk, Kutch embroidery, Banaras silk, Bengali silk, Kashmir silk and embroidery are attracting the womenfolk as much as our own Venkatagiri, Gadwal, Pochampally, Uppada, Mangalagiri and Chirala stalls are.
“We came ahead of the Durga Puja festival in 2016 and this is my second visit. The response is very good this time,” says Farook Rahman, a master weaver-cum-marketer from Burdwan, West Bengal, who has an exciting range of Kantha work.
“While Kantha embroidery is done with single thread sewing, the Kutch [Kacch] design is done with two sets of needles. Though Kutch embroidery is done on machine too, handmade gives an altogether different look. Similarly attractive is the Kashmir silk stall, which has a collection of saris and dress material in all hues. There is a steady stream of visitors to my stall,” says Tanvir Ansari, who came all the way from Srinagar for the exhibition.
The exhibition will end on January 12.
