Craftsmen at their creative best

An array of products on display at Lepakshi expo. To increase volumes and introduce the local clients to a range of a fresh collection of artefacts, Siri’s Emporium is offering a 10 per cent discount at the venue.

Shoppers making their choice at a stall at Lepakshi exhibition in the city on Friday.

It was a place where artisans and manufacturers wait with bated breath to showcase their wares and understand the essence of customer needs in a broader sense.

Bringing master craftsmen from different places like Madanapalle, Bobbili, Ongole, Warangal, Ahmedabad, and Agra, among other places on one common platform, Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited launched Lepakshi exhibition on Friday.

A total of 50 counters have been put up for the shoppers to suit the festive season. From Kondapalli toys to khadi kurtas for men, Coimbatore sico silk to brassware from the local store, the place caters to all pockets for the festive season.

“There is always a great demand for khadi shirts and the stocks get over well in advance as the rates are reasonable here,” said Chand, manager of Raj Hans Handloom Khadi house from UP who has put up a stall at the venue.

Eventually, exhibitions such as these help craftsmen understand the market trends and customise their wares accordingly. “Earlier, people used to invest in musical instruments such as veena , violin and tabla . Now, the purchase is limited to showpieces. As a result, we need to shift our focus from manufacturing mere musical instruments to showpieces,” said S. Atchutha Narayan, master craftsman from Bobbili.

Discount

To increase volumes and introduce the local clients to a range of a fresh collection of artefacts, Siri’s Emporium is offering a 10 per cent discount at the venue.

For Hansiha, a city-based entrepreneur, the place helps to bring out latest trends to the local people through her collection of anarkali suits, semi-stitched dresses, and dress material.

After inaugurating the exhibition, MLA Velagapudi Ramakrishna Babu said that there was a need to promote handcrafts products and help strengthen the livelihood of artisans across the State. “With Lepakshi adding brand value to the products, the expo provides a right platform for the buyers to indulge,” he said. The exhibition is open till January 13 at New Rythu Bazaar grounds, MVP Colony, between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.