Imphal, Sept. 8: Manipur Speaker Khemchand today inaugurated a five-day pottery workshop-cum-exhibition at Nupilal Memorial Complex here, organised by Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited.

Altogether 16 stalls were set up by artisans from popular pottery craft villages in Ukhrul, Imphal East and Kakching districts. Varieties of clay and stone pottery ran-ging from toys, idols, tea sets, water pots to traditional cookers and others kitchen utensils were exhibited and sold.

Yiemayo Luiram, an artisan from Ukhrul, said, 'This kind of exhibition provides us with a big opportunity to sell our products. There is no specific market place for us to sell even if our items are in great demand.'

She brought pottery priced from Rs 150 to Rs 850. The lowest-priced items were the cups and prices of traditional rice cookers were the highest.

Traditionally called nungpi chaphu, pottery of Ukhrul is liked by everyone in the state with its famous rice cooker also used for cooking non-vegetarian food. The pottery of Ukhrul is known technically as black pottery, produced using clay and stone.

The artisans from Andro, a cultural heritage village of Manipur in Imphal East, and potters from Thongjao in Ukhrul displayed their unique clay products, including toys and idols.

Khemchand said, 'I have found new designs that I have not seen before. Everyone in the state need to encourage our artisans. I am proud of being a Manipuri.'

Manipur handicrafts inspector Wangkheimayum Jadumani said many who were supposed to participate in the exhibition failed to turn up as the panchayat election is approaching.

He said the workshops will begin from tomorrow. For this, the organisers have arranged experts and national award winners from the state. During the workshops, the artisans will be making pottery items, he added.

'We are also organising a mega festival on cane and bamboo crafts by December,' Jadumani said.

The inauguration function was also attended by Manipur Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited chairman S. Rajen, ministry of textiles director Sohan Kumar Jha and state handloom and textiles director K. Lamlee. Rajen announced that the items left unsold at the exhibition will be bought by the MHHDC.

'I have bought a tea set. It is so beautiful that I will keep it only for kitchen decoration,' said visitor Hemabati Sagolsem.