Silk garments and saris from various states on display at an exhibition in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Dec. 22: Women are making a beeline to grab the best outfits and drapes at Silk India.

Organised by Mysore-based social organisation Abhivridhi, the exhibition of silk garments has begun at TTD Kalyan Mandap on Wednesday.

The 50-odd kiosks are selling myriad varieties of silk such as tussar, moga, eri or ahimsa silk, gheecha, Murshidabadi and chanon. The motifs include block and floral prints, tribal designs and kantha stitches. Both ethnic and contemporary designs are up for grab.

From Kota silk saris to the kosha variety are available between Rs 1,500 and Rs 4,000 under the same roof.

Thick stripes and circles have rendered a chic look to some of the pieces. Interesting motifs for the pallu and a diverse pattern for the body of the saris in crepe, chiffon and georgette are also finding many takers.

Most of the sellers are first time visitors in Bhubaneswar and are apprehensive about their products striking a chord with Odia shoppers.

Sangeeta, a middle-aged woman from Mumbai, has come with her stock of tunics and suits designed by her daughter Sonam.

“My daughter travels a lot and brings cloth materials ranging from chiffon to mere cotton that she finds interesting. She designs them and then we stitch it at our place and display them at various exhibitions,” said Sangeeta, who is hoping for a brisk business at the expo. An alluring range of Pashmina stole is priced between Rs 250 and Rs 600.

“The exhibition has come as a blessing with so many weddings to attend. I was running out of choices for saris. With patterns from Ikkat to Pashmina, Banarasi brocades, Kancheepuram wedding saris, ornamental baluchari and kantha saris, there is so much to choose from,” said Nandita Behera, a visitor.

The organisers said that the exhibition offers a direct link between buyers, weavers and artisans.

“While an artisan can explain his intricate work better, in absence of middlemen, the customers can avail heavy discounts,” said Rakesh Rai, a member of the organising team.