A vivid showcase of silk fabrics greeted denizens of the capital as they thronged the National Silk Expo on its last day on Tuesday. Colourful clothes and accessories were put up for display by entrepreneurs and artisans from all over the country during the six-day long exhibition for visitors to watch and purchase.
The exhibition organized by the Gramin Hastkala Vikas Samiti, showcased various varieties of silk sarees and dress material. The handloom silk material displayed for the sale in the exhibition at Hotel Radisson Blu captured the attention of people from all sections of the society.
From silk sarees to designer duppatas, Ranchiites had varied choice to choose from at a nominal range of silk products available under one roof. Both designer as well as ethnic dress material and sarees were available for the local residents.
Prominent silk saree ranging from Southern India is the main attraction in the exhibition especially among the women. “We have been putting the exhibition in Jharkhand since three years and the response from the local residents is tremendous,” said Gangadhar, Proprietor of Vanita Silk Sarees from Karnataka.
“Printed silk and Mysore silk are in demand this season, people purchased these two varieties of sarees more as compared to other collections,” Gangadhar further added.
Silk products ranging from Rs. 2000 to 10000 are available in the National Silk Expo. Apart from silk products, imitation jewellery and Banarasi bags are also grabbing the attention of visitors in the exhibition.
“I am here to buy a Kaanjivaram silk saree for myself and I am very much satisfied by the quality of products available in this exhibition, even the prices for specific products are very reasonable”, said Anita Hansda, a visitor.
Not only silk but other varieties of fabrics like crepe, georgette, Tassar, Kalamkari, Phulkari work is also enticing customers in the exhibition.
Around twenty states participated in the event which included Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Jammu and Kashmir, west Bengal, Chhattisgarh and Punjab. This form of exhibition also provides a common platform to all the artisans and weavers from across the country to showcase their talent.
Sunny Jha of Bharat Handloom said, “We are from Bhagalpur, Bihar. We get enormous amount of exposure to showcase our skills in this type of events organised in other states, my artisans gets to know more about the latest designs and get to interact with other artisans too which helps them too enhance their talent.”
Even entrepreneurs get a chance to interact with common masses and promote their business. “We work directly with the rural artisans and weavers and we make sure that direct benefits are provided to all the artisans in both the terms of money and skill development”, said Kajal Gupta, entrepreneur of Itiee Kritee who had also exhibits her designer collections in the silk expo. The exhibition was inaugurated by Mahua Manjhi, chairperson of Jharkhand State Commission for Women on August 13. The six day long exhibition got much appreciation from the residents of the State capital.