Shedding light on art in north-eastern States

Fair showcases not only bamboo products and textiles but traditions too

Bamboo products on display at the North East Crafts Fair in Valluvar Kottam on Wednesday. Photo: M. Vedhan

Squeezing the edges of a mat in between her fingers, Chanchalini Sharma explained how the Koyna grass used to make it is grown. “The grass is grown three times a year, the water levels should not be too high and the grass should be dried with utmost care afterwards,” she said. “Mat making is a tradition practised in every household in Manipur,” she added.

At the North East Crafts Fair that opened on Wednesday at Valluvar Kottam in the city, visitors can not only purchase pretty bamboo baskets, embroidered textiles, vases and trays but can also learn a thing or two about traditions practised in the north-eastern States.

The exhibition, being organised by North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Ltd (NEHHDC), was inaugurated by Collector (in-charge) and District Revenue Officer, Chennai, K.A.Annamalai.

“The objective of the fair is to showcase products made by crafts persons from interior villages in the northeast,” said D.C.Borkotoky, general manager, NEHHDC. Artisans and craftsmen from places such as Mowchinram in Meghalaya, Mon in Nagaland and Mangzil Mamang, Kongba Road in Manipur are showcasing their products in this fair.

“The terrain is very hilly in the northeast area so the products that are on display are predominantly made up of wood, cane and bamboo,” said Mr.Borkotoky. Out of 146 crafts persons who are part of the fair, 106 are from the north-east, he said.

Aseni from Nagaland demonstrated how she makes flowers from various materials. “This is the outer layer of corn cobs which is usually discarded. The arrangements turns out really well” she said. “Fresh Peepal leaves can also be used after soaking them for two months in water and then drying them,” she added. Shilpi Rani Baruah had displayed her collection of jute and cotton bags from Assam which range from Rs.70 to Rs.225.

Rafikul Islam from Assam is showcasing a collection of intricately made bamboo masks, attractive candle holders and other household items such as trays and wall hangings.

Other items on display include hand-woven fabrics with exquisite embroidery, tribal ornaments made from cane and glass beads and beautiful dolls and toys made out of straw and floral motifs from Arunachal Pradesh.

Demonstrations of basket weaving, dry flower arrangements and mat weaving will be carried out twice a day for an hour from 10 a.m. and at 4 p.m.

The exhibition is open between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. till September 4.