Connoisseurs of delicate craft or fine handloom products have their itineraries full, with a slew of State-run and private undertakings launching their handloom and handicrafts exhibitions in the city this week.
State-run corporations have now set shops, after the special bridal exhibition of dress materials and jewellery by Hyderabad-based ‘Parinaya’ ended recently after doing brisk business.
‘Lepakshi’, the flagship brand of Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation is running an exhibition at Sri Thyagaraja Hall in the city, which will be on up to August 31. An array of silk and cotton materials representing the ethnic styles of Bengali, Kutch, Bhagalpur, Banaras, Madurai, Jharkhand and Orissa will be here to woo the women, besides dress materials from Gadwal, Venkatagiri, Pochampally, Narayanpet, Uppada, Mangalagiri, Chirala, Kalamkari products, collectively dubbed as ‘The Pride of Andhra Pradesh’.
In the craft sector, Nirmal paintings, Etikoppaka toys, Kondapalli toys, black metal carvings, wood carvings, pearls and artificial jewellery are up for grabs. “We offer 10 per cent and 20 per cent discount respectively on handicrafts and handloom products,” said K.Sreehari, senior manager of Lepakshi (Tirumala).
Similarly, the office of Development Commissioner, working under the Union Ministry of Textiles, is holding a parallel handloom expo at Nehru Lalitakala Pranganam on MCT compound, which is touted as a one-stop shop for anything from costly saris to towels, dhotis to door mats. The expo will be on up to August 25.
