Union Minister of Textiles Dayanidhi Maran inaugurated a Bamboo Bazaar at Valluvar Kottam here on Saturday.
Organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, the All India Handicrafts Exhibition, in association with North Eastern Handicrafts & Handlooms Department Corporation, the bazaar will remain open till June 15.
Mr. Maran said that the exhibition was being organised to assist craft persons/self-help groups engaged in the bamboo craft in the north-eastern region.
Organised for the first time in Chennai, the Bamboo Bazaar will be inaugurated in Bangalore on June 10 and subsequently in other State capitals.
More than 150 master craftspersons from across the country are participating in the exhibition.
The sales are expected to net Rs.1 crore. A few master craftsmen will be giving live demonstration at the exhibition and a two-day workshop is being conducted on latest technology for the benefit of the artisans.
Common facility centre
According to the officials, 37 handicrafts clusters have been developed in the State benefiting 15,386 artisans.
A common facility centre had been sanctioned in Kancheepuram district for zari embroidery craft benefiting 199 artisans.
Mr. Maran released a booklet containing designs of cane and bamboo craft. A large number of exquisite craft creations with utility value made out of cane, bamboo and natural fibre and other material are on display.
