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Pride of Pondicherry
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The exhibition of Pondicherry handicrafts at YMCA features an amazing variety of products at hard-to-resist prices.
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COCONUT CALLS: Carved into masks
AUROVILLE COMES to Hyderabad (YMCA, Secunderabad to be precise) with the fete de Pondicherry. Organised by the Pondicherry Pudumai Handicrafts Artisans Co-operative Society, the exhibition is a treasure trove of items that are pretty and of utilitarian value as well.
The wooden albatross that would surely do the Ancient Mariner proud swings majestically and can be yours for anything from Rs 150 to Rs 40 depending on the size. Soap stone and Serpentine stone carvings make their presence felt and if you want something totally Auroville, you could go for the wooden agarbatti stand with the five-petal symbol of Auroville on it.
Candles from Inner Reflection make for wonderful gifts. The candles are available in the price range of Rs 10 to Rs 300. The range is incredible from perfumed floral candles to floating candles and gel-based candles with a 24-hour burning time.
Whole coconut shells carved to form interesting masks and used as penholders cost Rs 65. Auroville leather products are very famous and at the exhibition you have everything from key chains to wallets and super smart briefcases. Cool looking slippers with mat insoles come for Rs 275.
OPEN SESAME: A treasure trove of handicrafts. - Photos: P.V. Sivakumar & Mohd. Yousuf
Idols made of filtered clay sporting a smooth finish inspired by the Puranas jostle for place with some really quirky metal works including a multi-purpose planter with wooden balls for legs in electro plated nickel and silver for Rs 250.
A set of trays in painted sheet iron costs Rs 175 while an ornamental box in brass comes for Rs 125. The objects with wire winding and powder coating are distinctive. The aluminium baskets interwoven with jute, bamboo and beads are appealing and come in the range of Rs 75 to Rs 150. Candle stands in iron with bamboo bases are a steal at Rs 125.
M Prasad Rao is justifiably proud of his shell craft. "Except for the beak and the eyes, everything is natural," he says as he points to the intricately created birds and animals. "I do not use paint, it is all the natural colours." Rao who has been in the business for over thirty years gets the seashells from as far as South Africa!
Smart looking handbags (Rs 100) in cloth in checks and the famous marble print are pretty and hardy - with their reinforced straps they can take some pretty heavy weights. Toys go ethnic with wonderfully brightly coloured jigsaws for children in the range of Rs 110 to Rs 35 and cute bendees for Rs 50.
FLOWER & LACE: Lampshades with pressed flowers.
Can you say Pondicherry and forget hand-made paper? The stall is a must visit for the letter paper with envelopes for Rs 28 (five pieces), photo frames decorated with pressed flowers for Rs 68, and the ingenious Fancy Box (Rs 150) that opens out with different compartments to store everything from needles to pins.
The tablemats in handmade paper decorated with dried flowers are absolutely divine. For Rs 300, a set of six could turn your table into the talk of the town. They are laminated and so are washable and you can keep your sizzling hot kadai on it without a worry.
LEAD KINDLY LIGHT: Floating candles.
The same technology is used for lampshades and cards and bookmarks - perfect gifts or just indulge yourself. Batik wall hangings, bedspreads, scarves ask to be bought as do the two metre lengths for kurtas that cost an unbelievable Rs. 75.
The exhibition is a wonderful introduction to the unique handicrafts of Pondicherry and will be on till August 4 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is a 15 per cent discount on all the items.
MINI ANTHIKAD-CHHIBBER
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