Visitors at the Kuchai Silk Expo 2013 in Ranchi on Thursday. Picture by Prashant Mitra

The famous kuchai silk of Seraikela-Kharsawan is weaving a fashion spell in the state capital.

The fabric in various forms, attractive colours and rich embellishments has flooded 44 kiosks at the five-day Kuchai Silk Expo 2013, which kicked off at Radisson Blu Hotel on Thursday. The expo is being organised by Jharcraft in five cities across the country in phases.

The Haldiram banquet hall in Calcutta has already hosted the first leg of the exhibition from August 28 to September 1.

After the Ranchi show gets over on September 17, the expo will move to Delhi on September 27, followed by Mumbai on September 29 and then Chennai sometime in December.

Jharcraft managing director Dhirendra Kumar said they wanted to increase the popularity of Jharkhand’s famous kuchai silk through the expo.

“We have been organising such exhibitions in Delhi for the past two years. The response has always been very encouraging. This prompted us to take it to other cities as well,” Kumar said.

He added that in Calcutta, they did business of Rs 1.5 crore. “In the state capital also, we are expecting sales above Rs 1 crore,” the MD added.

Any particular reason for promoting kuchai silk?

“Yes, the fabric is churned out from the best silk cocoons of the world. The silk has received recognition in the global platform. Besides, we have a capacity to produce 50 tonnes in Kuchai block of Seraikela and Kharsawan. Then why not capture the Indian markets?” Kumar said.

State industries minister Champai Soren, who was the chief guest at the expo, said besides promoting home-grown silk, the fair was providing Jharcraft officials a platform to interact with silk weavers from across the country.

“The state’s artisans are also getting an opportunity to interact and exchange technical know-how to improvise on their designs, keeping intact the traditional flavour. These interactive sessions will help our artisans exhibit their silk products in a more refined way at international exhibitions,” Soren said.

Later, the minister also inaugurated a franchise showroom of Jharcraft at Radisson Blu Hotel.

On the first day of the exhibition, visitors were spoilt for choice as colourful silk saris, salwar suits, stoles, dress materials, dupatta and kurtis, depicting tribal art sohrai and khobar were up for grabs. Both traditional and modern designs made from silk from across the country like muga, tussar and baluchari vied for attention.

Apart from Seraikela-Kharsawan, more than 100 weavers and artisans from Bengal, Bihar, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh are showcasing their craftsmanship in designing silk products.

The expo is open for public from 11am to 9pm, offering discount up to 20 per cent on selected kuchai silk products.