Visitors at the Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar on Monday . Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Nov. 10: The Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar at the Bali yatra has given platform to a lot of artisans who have thronged the fair to showcase their skills.

Be it the appliqué works of Pipili or the Pashmina shawl of Jammu and Kashmir or the brass metal work from Uttar Pradesh, one can find traditional and popular handicrafts under one roof.

Anju Mishra, an artist from Bihar, has been successful in winning the hearts of visitors coming to the fair with the traditional Madhubani paintings. The 36-year-old artist has given a modern touch to the oldest art form that has earned appreciation from the visitors.

Madhubani is basically a folk painting depicting various social rituals and other mythological events involving Ram and Sita, various gods and goddesses and also village life.

“I have used this art form on sari, pillow covers and other garments to reach out to maximum people,” said Mishra, who has participated in Bali yatra fair for the first time.

Poonam Devi, 55, another Madhubani painter, too, felt that Bali yatra had provided a good scope to the artists to showcase their traditional art form. A lot of other artisans are now making good business with their unique handicrafts at the Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar.

Venkatesh Kota, 55, an artisan from Sholapur in Maharashtra, has also received warm appreciation for his unique Kota wall hangings.

“People are asking a lot of question about our art, which is a handicraft made from coloured cotton yarns. The cost of our products ranges from Rs 200 to Rs 1,500,” said Venkatesh.

Over 150 stalls from 15 states, including Assam, Jharkhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, have been set up at the fair.

“The products of the traders and artisans have been widely appreciated by the visitors, while so far Gandhi Shilpa Bazaar has been able to register a business of over Rs 31 lakh in the past three days,” said Trinath Mohanty, a nodal officer. A variety of other famous craft items, including wooden furniture, wall hanging and chikan embroidery from Uttar Pradesh, traditional toys from Gujarat, jute crafts from Bengal and jewellery of Rajasthan, are also on display at the fair.

“We are getting a glimpse of the cultural heritage of the country in the form of handicrafts, which are on sale at the Gandhi Bazaar. People should buy handicrafts items as this will encourage the artisans,” said Akash Dutta, a visitor.