Visitors take a look at handloom saris at the exhibition in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, May 18: An exhibition displaying some of the most popular handloom works of Odia sari weavers is under way on the Exhibition Ground in the capital.

The District-Level Handloom Exhibition is an initiative by the Odisha State Handloom and the 20 kiosks to promote the exquisite range hand-woven saris of Odisha.

The ancient Sambalpuri saris, which are still considered Odisha’s pride, retain their numero uno position at the fair.

Visitors are making a beeline for the Sambalpuri sari kiosks. These traditional saris, known for their intricate motifs such as conch shells, wheels and flowers, have evolved in style, pattern and fabric.

Varieties of Sambalpuris such as Pasapali, Bomkai, Somepuri, Bapta and Barpali are available at the exhibition. Cotton and silk Sambalpuris are available for less than of Rs 5,000. Also available are the bi-coloured tie-and-dye ikkat weave on Sambalpuri saris.

Animal motifs and folk art prints on ikkat saris are quite a hit this season, with a huge number of women purchasing ikkats for Sabitri puja and Raja.

Weavers from Khurda, Balangir, Cuttack, Nuapada, Sonepur and Jagatsinghpur are displaying their wares at the fair. The exhibition is on till May 21.