A collection of handicrafts, handcrafted textiles, handcrafted furniture, souvenirs, terracotta items, bronze statues and lamps, jewellery, panchaloha idols, figurines, toys, Thanjavur plates and paintings, Jaipur paintings, jute, paper and leather items vie for attention at the exhibition organised by the Poompuhar under the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited.
Providing a market to around 50 artisans from across India, Poompuhar has organised a Crafts Mela from January 2 to January 11.
The organisers are also offering a 10 per cent discount on all items. They want to bring handicrafts from different regions under one roof and provide encouragement to artisans. The exhibition is also showcasing Madurai Sungudi saris, Varanasi silk items, bed linen from Rajasthan, Lucknowi Chikankari salwar suits, agarbattis, rudraksha, puja stands made of teak wood and 4-foot-tall Nataraja statues. Artisans also held a live demonstration of Thanjavur paintings on the inaugural day.
The exhibition is being held at Vel Sokkanathan Thirumana Nilayam, Kamrajar Nagar, on all days including Sundays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. All credit cards will be accepted at the exhibition, said a note from the organisers. The exhibition was inaugurated by P. Parthiban, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency.