Spread over 100 stalls, with products and craftsmen from 19 States, Sampoorn Santhe, a 10-day arts-and-crafts fair is back with its 21st edition from January 18 to 27 at the Manpho Convention Center near Manyata Tech Park.
Presented by Sampoorn, the society of crafts and craftspeople, the Sante is an annual event bringing indigenous techniques, textures and designs with a diverse range of products that include textiles, soft furnishings, jewellery, accessories, toys, leather products, pottery, paintings, gifts and farm produce.
Speaking about the NGO Sampoorn, empanelled with the Ministry of Textiles and the World Crafts Council, organiser Kailash says, their organic service that started 20 years ago has 900 artisans, designers and craftspeople enrolled as members. “This year’s edition is around the theme of Back to Nature and will have 90 crafts groups participating,” he says.
The variety of fabrics will include hand-woven Tussar, Akola, Chanderi, Jamdani, Ikat and Patola saris, Tangalia craft from Gujarat, Rajasthani pattus, Kalamkari, akolo, ajrak and Kanchivaram prints. Hand- embroidered mirror work, block prints, woollen shawls, traditional Phad paintings from Rajasthan, Dhokra cast metal and ironware, terracotta pottery, silver and metal jewellery, Bodo weaving from Assam, chikankari from Uttar Pradesh and cane and bamboo furniture will be part of the fair.
There is also organic grains, soaps, handmade stationery, oil and preserves, says Kailash. “Village Story is bringing the Farmers Market to Sampoorn Santhe. This is a community farming concept based in Bengaluru, and will offer a range of fresh, organic vegetables and fruits, handmade cosmetics, millets and grains and other eco-friendly products including recyclable tableware and chemical-free homeware.”
Anamika Bist, founder Village Story says, it was started in 2016 for community farming. “We call it square-foot farming as we provide a space behind Jakkur Lake for enthusiasts to experience organic farming first-hand. We give people an eight by eight square foot space for a fee. We provide seeds, saplings, manure, soil, watering, maintenance and consulting. They take home their hand-grown produce to enjoy their labour of love.” she says.
As an off-shoot of this initiative, Village Story also arranges a Farmers Market, where farmers sell their produce directly to buyers. “We are co-hosting Sampoorn Sante and 25 vendors are selling vegetables, fruits, grocery and eco-friendly products,” says Anamika. Seven NGOs and nine self-help groups, all State and National Awardees will be at the sante. Pravin Chauhan is conducting a three-day workshop on weaving fabric from used flowers from January 25. “Chauhan is a national awardee from Bihar. He is known for his waste-flower collection which gives rural women employment. They collect the flowers from temples in Gaya and he has trained them to reuse it for yarn,” says Kailash.
(Sampoorn Santhe, Entry free, January 18 to 27, 11am to 8pm, Manpho Convention Center, Spectrum ground, Near Manyata Tech Park)
