Colourful handicrafts at a kiosk on Adivasi Exhibition Ground in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, April 3: Impressive collection, but little business. This has been the story so far at the All-India Crafts Fair under way on Adivasi Exhibition Ground here.

Kargil saris and terracotta fashion accessories are jostling for attention at the fair.

Artisans from all over the country have displayed their products. A multitude of handicrafts and handloom items are on offer. But artisans say the footfall has been low so far.

Gadadhar Hota, a weaver from Cuttack, said: “We have not even been given travel or dearness allowance by the organisers. It is disappointing that visitors have been far and few in between.”

When asked about his collection, Hota said: “I have brought to the fair Kargil saris, which have a unique pattern in the pallu of the drape. It has a detailed design of a Konark wheel to show off Odisha’s pride. It was designed during the Kargil war. It is immensely popular outside the state too.”

Among other crafts from the state are pattachitra, palm leaf paintings and sketches, dokra, wood and stone sculptures and decorative crafts.

Organised by the development commissioner, handicrafts and handloom, under the Union ministry of textiles, and local chapter of the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI)-Aparajita, the exhibition has a huge collection of home decor items as well as textiles and handcrafted fashion accessories.

At the 150-odd kiosks, craftsmen from 16 states, including Odisha, have showcased about 50 types of craftworks. Appliqué from Pipili brushes shoulders with tussar and cotton handloom saris such as Khandua Paata, Bomkai and other traditional Odisha drapes created by weavers from Sonepur, Cuttack and Sambalpur.

Swarnendu Halder from Burdwan, Bengal, has brought to the fair terracotta fashion accessories, many of which have been made out of black soil and studded with stones to form ethnic jewellery such as earrings, lockets, neckpieces and bracelets.

Sajid Khan from Varanasi has brought an ensemble of handlooms such as lavish saris and dress material in Dhupian dhaga, chanderi and the typical Benarasi patterns.

Carpets and bell metal items are also on offer from artisans of various regions in Uttar Pradesh. “I am happy that buyers seem interested in my brass metal crafts and Minakari showpieces,” said Raiz Ahmed, an artisan.

Among other items available at the fair are jute bags and footwear, soft toys, leather and paper crafts.

“We are hopeful that the creations of these artisans will attract buyers soon,” said Bipin Behari Sahoo, programme officer for crafts development at VHAI-Aparajita.

The exhibition is on till April 7.