Artisans, weavers, painters and sculptors from across the country gathered here at the Janata Maidan to exhibit and sell their products with the eighth edition of the Toshali National Crafts Mela having begun from December 15.
The entire venue has been designed with straw thatched huts where the wares are displayed, that give an aura of an artisan village. lights hung from the branches of the trees of the Maidan add to the beauty and attract the onlookers.
Around 200 artisans from more than 22 States have brought their products and exhibited those in about 350 handicraft and handloom stalls.
The products on display include painting, wood and bamboo furniture, sculpture, silver filigree work, terracotta, jewellery, appliqué work, dry flower, dhokra craft, paddy and straw craft.
Handlooms like Phulkari from Punjab, Banarasi items, Bhaglpuri silk sarees and dress materials, Ikat, Rajastani sarees and dress materials, Bomkai, Chanderi, Kotpad saree, and lucknow stitchery items are also on display.
Artisan Amin Ahemad from Uttar Pradesh who exhibited kurtas, sarees and dress materials in the fair said, “I joined Toshali for the second time. Response here is very encouraging and people like our products.”
He added that the kurtas available are priced between around `500 to `1,500 and sarees between `450 to `2,500.
A food court having 30 food stalls offers various cuisines including Odia food like Mudhi-mutton, Chhena Jhili, Rasagola; Chinese, continental, tandoor and South Indian etc.
The special attraction of the fair is a tassar silk pavilion with the theme ‘Symphony in Tassar.’ In this exhibition area, the weavers are demonstrating the weaving procedure. It tells the details of the tassar from plantation to finished products.
“This is a unique opportunity for the people of the State to have direct interaction with the artisans and weavers from all over the country and purchase goods of their choice without any middle man between them,” said an official source.
The fair is also followed by various cultural programmes including Odissi, Gotipua, Chhau, comedy, magic, Sufi and Kabir songs and puppet dance.
Many crowd puller shows were held. Performance by Bollywood singer Bappi lahiri, comedy show by Kuna Tripathy and Papu Pam Pam added thrill. The fair organised by Handloom, Textiles and Handicrafts Department in association with the Tourism department will conclude on December 27.