Cotton dresses on display at the Cottonfab exhibition in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 9: Vibrant hues, bold patterns and delicately decorated handicraft products are ruling the Cottonfab exhibition and sale that began on Friday at the Exhibition Ground in the city.

The exhibition that started four years ago in the capital city aims to promote traditional handicraft and handloom articles.

One Awadh Hathkargha Hasthshilp Evam Gramodyog Samiti from Lucknow along with the handloom and handicraft department has taken the initiative to bring rural artisans to the fore to promote their artefacts.

As many as 85 artisans from 11 states such as, Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and others, are participating in the exhibition, which is held twice a year in the city.

Apparels, jewellery, furnishings such as, bedspreads, cushion covers and handiworks, are on display at the fair.

The traditional ari and needleworks from Lucknow on chikan fabrics, Sambalpuri saris of Orissa, coasters embroidered in crochet work from Andhra Pradesh, Kota doria dress materials from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh’s chanderi and maheswari saris, Assam’s moga silk saris and artificial jewellery from Delhi are few highlights of the exhibition.

The kiosks from Bengal and Gujarat are also pulling in throngs of buyers. Customers can purchase products ranging from Rs 30 to Rs 5,000.

“This year, we have introduced a variety of new designs in our chikan saris. Cotton saris designed in appliqué, phanda and shadow work have been very popular this year,” said Raj Kishore of the Awadh Lucknowi Chikan kiosk.

The jewellery sellers from Delhi are upbeat about the exhibition. “We get a good coverage and sale through this exhibition. Our bangles made of glass and metal are admired here. We have deliberately kept the bangles at a low price of Rs 30 for four, so that people from every strata get an opportunity to buy them,” said Haji Md Yamin from Delhi.

Javed Alam, organiser of the exhibition was happy with the rising crowd on the first day.

“This year we have set up 65 kiosks. The shoppers here encourage us to conduct the fair regularly. The Orissa government has been helpful in promoting the artisans,” said Alam.

One can also find Afghani and patiala salwar, dress materials in tussar, crepe and chiffon. Runner and rugs, Rajasthani stone, baag print from Chattisgarh, embroidered stoles from Kashmir are also in demand.

“Cotton is the fabric of the hour. My favourites are the Kashmiri stoles and the kantha and dhakai jamdani from Bengal. The kiosks have a really good collection. I am planning to buy at least four saris,” said Sujata Besera, a customer.

Minister of women and child development, Anjali Behera, who had inaugurated the event, congratulated the organisers on the endeavour. The exhibition will be on till October 3.

Cottonfab

Chandrima Maitra

Bhubaneswar, September 9:

Rich, vibrant hues, bold patterns and delicately decorated handicrafts are ruling the Cottonfab exhibition cum sale of handloom and handicraft that began on Friday at the Exhibition Ground in the city.

The exhibition that started four years ago in the capital aims to promote traditional handicraft and handloom. Awadh Hathkargha Hasthshilp Evam Gramodyog Samiti from Lucknow along with the Handloom and handicraft Department, Government of India, has taken the initiative of bringing the rural artisans to the fore and promoting their artifacts.

As many as 85 artisans from 11 states like Orissa, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Assam and others are participating in the exhibition that is held twice a year in the city. Apparels, jewellery, furnishings like bedspreads, cushion covers and handiworks are displayed at the fair.

The traditional Ari and needlework from Lucknow on chikan fabrics, Sambalpuri sarees of Orissa, coasters embroidered in crochet work from Andhra Pradesh, Kota doria dress materials from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh’s chanderi and maheswari sarees, Assam’s moga silk sarees and Delhi’s artificial jewellery are few of the highlights of the exhibition. The stalls from West Bengal and Gujarat are also pulling in throngs of buyers. Customers can purchase products ranging from Rs 30 to Rs 5000.

“This year we have introduced a variety of new designs in our chikan sarees. Cotton sarees designed in appliqué, phanda and shadow work have been very popular this year,” said Raj Kishore of Awadh Lucknowi Chikan stall.

The jewellery sellers from Delhi are upbeat about the exhibition. “We get a good coverage and sale through this exhibition. Our bangles made of glass and metal are very popular here. We have consciously kept the bangles at a low price of Rs 30 for four bangles, so that people from every strata get an opportunity to buy them,” said Haji Md. Yamin of Delhi.

Javed Alam, organizer of the exhibition is happy with the increasing crowd on its first day. “This year we have 65 stalls.The shoppers here encourage us to conduct the fair regularly. The government of Orissa has been helpful in promoting the artisans,” said Alam.

One can also find Afghani and patiala salwar, dress materials in tasser, crepe and chiffon. Runner and rugs, Rajasthani stone, baag print from Chattisgarh, embroidered stoles from Kashmir are also popular.

“Cotton is the fabric of the hour and my favourite are the Kashmiri stoles and kantha and dhakai jamdani from Bengal. The stalls have really good collection. I am planning to buy at least four sarees,” smiled Sujata Besera, a customer.

Minister of Women and Child Development, Anjali Behera while inaugurating the event, congratulated the organisers on the endeavour. The exhibition will be on till October 3.

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