Children look at Chhau masks at Udyog Mela being held at Morabadi grounds. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Nov. 18: If you are yet to visit Udyog Mela being held at Morabadi grounds since November 15, then you would be missing out on a plethora of tribal arts on display.

At the fair, visitors can see tribals apt in designing primitive art Sohrai and Kohbar on the walls of their house during Diwali and marriages using the art in designing greeting cards and selling them at Rs 10.

To promote dying tribal arts, many NGOs, under the directorate of sericulture, handicraft and handloom and the state department of industries have designed wallboards using Sohrai, to adorn the walls of your living room at Rs 750 each.

The uniqueness in these tribal paintings lie in the use of thumb and comb. Likewise, the Chhau masks worn during the dance festival can also take up a wall in your house. Paintings, paper masks and greeting cards in age-old arts of the state vie for your attention at the fair.

The stall owners are giving up to 40 per cent discount on the craft items. Nirmal Kumar, the stall in-charge of the fair and also a member of Hazaribagh-based NGO, Marksman, said: “Our customers are not only from India, but also from London, South Africa, the US and Canada. These masks are mostly used in hotels and showrooms,” Kumar added. The cost of the Chhau mask range between Rs 130 and Rs 2,700.

Murari Kumar, selling bamboo handicraft items, said he got an overwhelming response for his bamboo furniture sets priced at around Rs 12,000 each. “We have already got bookings for five sets, which are designed by tribal artisans of Lohardaga working under Rashtriya Swyam Vikas Yojana,” Kumar said.

“ Tribal handicraft items, which were relegated to the background, have found good display at a huge fair like this. Though the cost is a bit on the higher side, it gives us a feeling of satisfaction that our tribal arts are getting recognition worldwide,” said a private sector employee, Raja Ram.