City may get its own ‘Dilli Haat’

Schemes to form clusters of artisans to promote craft and sale are also in the offing. Photo: M. Karunakaran

In a bid to encourage handicrafts trade in the city, the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts (DCH) under the Ministry of Textiles is mulling over a proposal to set up a permanent marketing hub to serve artisans, exporters and entrepreneurs. If materialised, it would be along the lines of the famed Dilli Haat in the Capital.

Speaking to The Hindu after inaugurating a 15-day exhibition-cum-sale of bronze handicrafts, Tanjore paintings, and country wood and stone carvings at Srushti (Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Artisans Welfare Association) on Chamiers Road on Monday, P. Mallikarjunaiah, deputy director (technical) of DCH, said there were several such schemes in the offing.

Forming clusters of artisans to help promote craft and sale is one of them.

Work to construct an urban ‘haat’ at Kanyakumari is expected to commence soon. “The Central government has already sanctioned Rs. 3 crore for the project,” he said.

According to Mr. Mallikarjunaiah, obtaining land for such projects is the biggest challenge. “We have a similar hub in Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh and the State government there is supporting us. We would like to set up one in Chennai once land becomes available,” he said.

Meanwhile, the exhibition at Srushti drew large crowds and offered an impressive array of handicrafts. Notable among them was a bronze set featuring Shiva in 108

thandava poses. It was made by L. Rathakrishnan using the traditional lost wax process. The Tanjore art pieces made by Sambhaji Bhonsle using embossing technique also attracted a lot of attention.