Bhubaneswar: Handloom and handicraft products from north-eastern states of the country are attracting many visitors at a craft fair organised by North-eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited at the Exhibition ground here.

One can find cane and bamboo furniture and home décor items from Assam, dry flowers from Nagaland, mats and cushions from Manipur, incense sticks of Tripura and wood carvings of Meghalaya at the fair. The event has provided women craftswomen a platform to sell and promote their creations.

Bela Das from Assam, who is exhibiting her creations at the fair, excels in the art of making bamboo crafts, which is a household industry in her native state. Das and all the female members of her family produce decorative baskets, furniture and mats using bamboo. "These products require little investment for manufacturing," Das said.

She further said that the crafts business provided them employment and financial independence. In the handloom section, women customers can pick from the popular mekhla saris and stoles that range from Rs 800 and Rs 1,000.

Many visitors are buying dolls made of straw, ornaments made from cane, bamboo, glass beads and silver and wall hangings of cane.

"We have pictures of gods and goddesses canvassed in contemporary styles," said Papan Das, an artisan from Tripura. A number of demonstration kiosks have also been set up where artisans are showcasing the making of these crafts. "It is nice to see art forms from other parts of the state. These artisans are really friendly and the variety is amazing," said Monalisa Mohapatra, a homemaker.

Apart from the north-eastern states, one can also find various products by artisans from Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh. The exhibition has 60 kiosks and will end on October 23.