Celebrate Onam with a pan-Indian touch

For Malayalis, Onam is the best time to get a variety of products that bear the stamp of Kerala’s traditional crafts mastery.

The capital is currently witness to an exhibition-cum-sale of several such products at Surabhi, the crafts and handloom fair organised by the Kerala State Handicrafts Apex Cooperative Society to mark the festival season.

Wooden statues, Aranmula mirrors, Balaramapuram handloom products, Kuthampully saris ranging from Rs.400 to Rs.2,000 are up for grabs at the fair, which also features products made by artisans and crafts persons from across the country.

Fancy jewellery, ghagra cholis, dhoties, kurti and a variety of pickles from Rajasthan, dazzling jewellery and khadi dress materials from Uttar Pradesh, leather products such as purses from Tamil Nadu, handloom tops, filigree material and raw silk kurta from Odisha with prices in the range of Rs.400 to Rs.2,000 are on display.

Jamdani and cotton saris from West Bengal are available from Rs.1,200 to Rs.2,000. Churidar materials from Bihar are priced from Rs.900 to Rs.3,000. Also on sale are bed and pillow covers and sheets, kurtis and a variety of other dress material from Bihar. There is also a stall selling Kashmiri shawls costing between Rs.350 and Rs.4,500.

Apart from the handloom and handicrafts items, there are also stalls that sell kitchen accessories, electronic goods, toys, books, juice and Nilgiri products.

Learn embroidery

And, for those who have the time and desire, there is a stall where embroidery is taught.

“Most of the items displayed here are from Kerala, but we have also taken care to include a variety of products from other States,” said P.M. Ahmedkutty, chairman, Kerala State Handicrafts Apex Cooperative Society.

The society markets art and craft products made by over 30,000 artisans belonging to 102 co-operative societies through its 19 sales showrooms inside and outside the State.