The ‘Dastkari Mela’ currently on in the city brings a profusion of carved wooden panels, icons and ‘murtis’ of deities that unfolds vignettes of mythological and religious stories. The beautifully carved 6 ft tall Venkateshwara adds a dramatic touch to the collection. Then there are two ft Buddha heads and enormous panels crafted by paramparik artisan Vinod. He stands beside an exquisitely etched and carved 6 ft by 4 ft ‘Vishwaroopam’ panel depicting Krishna in his ceramic form and Arjuna during the ‘Gitopadesam.’ “It took me four months to create [this piece],” says Vinod. “I’ve also made a 2 ft Ganesha in a sitting posture framed in a prabhavali featuring peacocks as well as panels of dasavatar, tales from the Ramayana and so on.” One marvels at his artistry which he says is imbibed from his father. “I learnt the art from my father and other elders and also a formal training.” . He works with his family in his home unit and has a separate workplace where he employs and trains other woodcraft artisans.
In contrast to the spiritual fervour exuded by the Andhra woodcraft products are Dilkhush’s attractive and abstract bird forms, horses, cows and goats. Dilkhush, who hails from a paramparik potter family in U.P., says his abstract art items in metal and copper are greatly inspired by the charming birds that he observed in the countryside.
The ‘Dastkari Mela’ throws up other surprises too. Moradabad’s ‘pushtaini’ artisans have brought back the group of cranes so favoured by the denizens of the Raj. Also on display are well crafted 4 ft long brass lions, 3 ft tall prancing horses and more. Dhurris from Bhadoi in U.P. and checked cotton and jute dhurries from Warangal are the other attractions at the Mela.
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Wide options such as terracotta mobiles and garden vases crafted by Srinivas Kumar from Puducherry; Mazhar’s beautiful block printed ‘godris’ and ‘razais’ from Jaipur; Khurja blue pottery vases and decorative items and a collection of blue pottery brought to the country in the 14th century by potters in the retreating army of Taimur Lane add up to the collection.
Uppada, ikkat, Sambhalpuri and Jaipur block prints, chikankari and Kantha embroidered saris as well as Biswajit Saha’s superb jaamdanis give a distinct style edge to the textile section. ‘Dastkari Mela’ is on view at Valluvar Kottam, till April 10.