Visitors browse through a kiosk at the Special Handloom Expo in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Aswinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, June 9: Visitors have many nice things to say about the colourful garments being sold at the Special Handloom Expo on at Janata Maidan, but conversely, the list of complaints from those selling them is long as well.

The two-week expo that began on June 2 is being organised by Boyanika under the aegis of the state handlooms, textiles and handicrafts department. Artisans have come from different corners of the state to exhibit and sell their artworks. The 25-odd kiosks have been decked out with enticing motifs.

Women visitors are making a beeline for the kiosks selling a range of tussar saris. They are spoilt for choice with block patterns and flower prints jostling for attention. The saris are prices between Rs 2,000 to Rs 20,000. Also available at the expo are kurtis, stoles, bed sheets, towels and other items.

The government-sponsored kiosks of Boyanika, Amlan and Sambalpuri Vastralaya are giving lucrative discounts of above 20 per cent while other kiosks are selling all handloom items at 10 per cent discount. “It is such a small exhibition, but the collection is beautiful. The price is also quite reasonable,” said Aparna Sengupta, who paints on saris as a hobby and came looking for different fabrics.

Though the visitors find the collection attractive, the kiosk owners are not satisfied with the sales or the facilities available.

“There is no water or public convenience facility for the kiosk owners. Those who have come here from outside Bhubaneswar are facing a lot deal of trouble. We had to give a written application signed by all the participants asking for water. Even the timing of the expo is not apt. The heat punctuated with odd showers dissuade customers from venturing outside homes and offices,” said Jatadhari Mishra, a kiosk owner.

His counterparts from other districts echoed his views.

The organisers, however, had a different version. “When the kiosk owners asked us for water and other facilities, we immediately made all the arrangements,” said a senior official of Boyanika.