Arts and crafts village nears completion

It will be a permanent facility that will function round the year

A view of the block for artisans to display their wares at the Arts and Crafts Village at Murungapakkam in Puducherry. The art centre is modelled on the Dilli Haat in Delhi (below). —File photos

Modelled on the lines of the Dilli Haat in the national capital, the Puducherry Tourism Department’s Arts and Crafts Village is ready for commissioning and is all set to provide an opportunity to people to buy handicraft items from across the country under a single roof and provide a fillip to tourism in this former French outpost.

Located on the banks of the Ariyankuppam backwaters in Murungapakkam, the Arts and Crafts Village was designed by the Puducherry chapter of Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) and developed by the Project cell of the Puducherry Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) at a cost of Rs.5.32 crore.

“Work is almost complete and the village is ready for commissioning by the month end. The village envisages manufacture and sale of handicraft indigenous to various regions and is expected to benefit skilled artisans across the country,” a senior official in the Tourism Department said.

“The crafts village located on four acres has accommodation for more than 50 artisans to stay and work at a time.

It has 24 permanent stalls for artisans, a demonstration and exhibition block to showcase the masterpieces of various artisans, an open-air theatre and a conference hall and a workshop and training centre,” Ashok Panda, co-convenor INTACH told The Hindu.

Artisans will produce, display and sell art and handicraft items. It will be a permanent facility functioning round the year. Handicraft from various states , Thanjavur paintings, antiques, studio pottery and hand made goods will be presented in the village.

The basic idea is that different craftsmen from all over the country should be given an opportunity to display their products. This would also pave for a cultural exchange among artisans. Tourists would also be able to see production of various crafts at the village itself.

The Ministry of Handlooms and Textiles had promised to mobilise artisans and bring them to the Crafts Village throughout the year.

The operation and maintenance of the Crafts village would be handed over to the Tourism Department and the modalities are being worked out, an official said.   

The village envisages manufacture and sale of handicraft indigenous to various regions