Kurtis on sale at the Arohee Royal Crafts Mela in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Feb. 7: The Arohee Royal Crafts Mela on Exhibition Ground is attracting buyers and visitors from all over the city.

Beaded jewellery, metal craftwork, bamboo, horn work and special handlooms can all be found here. The seventh edition of this fair has around 150 kiosks and participants from 20 states have put up their goods for sale.

The annual fair aims to popularise handicrafts and give recognition to the artisans who produce them. “Marketing is a major problem for the craftsmen. Thus this fair has been organised by the development commissioner, handicrafts and ministry of textiles, government of India, through our NGO. We are expecting a sale over Rs 1 crore,” said P. Rout, director, Action Research Orientation of Human values through Experiment and Entertainment (Arohee), a state-level organisation.

Craftsmen from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, Bengal and Jharkhand have taken part in the fair. Artisans from across Odisha have also taken part in the event.

“Last year, the footfall was around three lakh and we are expecting a bigger turnout this year,” said Rout.

Decorative items made of metal, coconut coir, woodcarving and jute are on display at the exhibition. Most of the work is inspired by mythology and nature.

Apparels include silk and tusser saris, chikankari kurtis while footwear comprised of leather shoes and sandals. A variety of colourful carry bags, purses and official folders, the price of which range between Rs 10 and Rs 500, are in demand.

The Odisha-based artistes have put up appliqué and dokra work as well as pattachitra paintings.

From Jammu and Kashmir’s Umar Farokh Khan, who has brought pashmina shawls and saris embellished with aari work, to Indra Jha from Bihar, who is selling bed covers, most of the artisans who are taking part in the fair feel Odisha is a potential market for their crafts.

Some kiosks such as the one selling wall clocks and hangers in the shape of sunflowers and swords and others selling key chains with names engraved on a rice grain have been capturing eyeballs.

“I found a variety of stoles, scarves, bracelets and earrings, which were much cheaper than showrooms. So, I shopped a lot,” said Sudha Panigrahi.

Food kiosks and comedy shows have also been attracting customers. The fair will be on till February 13.