Bhubaneswar, Sept. 28: A district-level handloom exhibition-cum-sale has been organised at Ekamra Haat to restore and revamp the dying handloom industry in Orissa. The six-day long exhibition is organised under the aegis of the central development commissioner for handlooms and textile and handloom department of Orissa.

The quaint green pavilion of Ekamara Haat, that has been decorated with tiny kiosks is displaying the best handloom of Orissa.

Apart from handloom products such as furnishings and dress materials, it is the sari that is making the highest sale. Khandua patta saris, Behrampuri saris, Bomkai saris, Sambalpuri silks have the highest buyers. Some weavers are also showcasing some fine tie and dye printed fabrics.

The state government has arranged for a rebate of 10 per cent on the sale of every handloom product.

The weavers from different districts of the state such as Bargarh, Balangir, Ganjam, Cuttack, Jajpur, Khurda, Puri, Nayaghar have assembled at the haat to exhibit the works of their age-old industry.

“We have been organising this exhibition-cum-sale since 2007. Every year we have around 25 kiosks. Unfortunately, this year because of flood many of the weaver societies could not make it here,” said weaving supervisor Ramesh Chandra Pani.

State handloom organisation Boyanika and Sambalpuri Bastralaya Handloom Cooperation Society are the apex bodies of this exhibition that started from September 24 and is doing brisk business. Sale on the first four days recorded a gross collection of Rs 2 lakh.

“The total budget sanctioned by the government is Rs 2 lakh. Usually business is average, but this year because of the upcoming festivals, the sale is relatively high,” added Pani. The participants who hail from traditional handloom weaving families feel that they are facing tough times.

“The industry is not as flourishing as it had been a couple of decades ago and we are going through hard times. It is through these exhibitions that we are able to earn some profits,” said weaver Pitobash Das of Sri Durga Mahila Women Co-operative Society kiosk.

The exhibition-cum-sale that will continue till September 30, is drawing a decent crowd everyday.

“The collection is good here. I have bought a couple of double Ikat Sambalpuri saris. The rebate makes the price reasonable here,” said Sobha Rani, an engineering student.