Guj: Traditional artifacts from Gujarat are on display at the handicraft exhibition organised by Gujarat Emporium

Kutch has a strong tradition of crafts and is famous for its unusual embroidery. And these designs are now in the City. At the Gujarat handloom and handicraft exhibition-cum-sale organised by Gujarat Emporium, on display are
richly embroidered fabrics from Kutch and Banki (which is a remote village on the Indo-Pakistan border) to Sankeda furniture complete with Jhula (swing) and more formal sofa sets.

There is also the ‘Aari’ work, which was specially commissioned by the royalty. Wealthy families and women in the rural parts of Gujarat had perfected this art of making beautiful clothes and decorations. Though many of these skills have since been lost, they are being kept alive today through these various handicraft initiatives.
 
Another important art from Kutch is bandhini, which primarily originated in the region. Bandhini sarees are
particularly worn on special occasions like weddings or festivals like Navaratri and Diwali.

On display from other parts of the country like Saurashtra and Orissa are salwar kameez sets, skirts, sarees,
bedcovers and cushion covers. Plenty of colourful applique work, wall hangings, tie and dye fabrics, cotton and silk sarees from Jamnagar, Bhuj and Mandi districts are also available.There are attractive batik kurtis mbellished with glass and mirror work dressy enough to wear for semi-formal occasions.

One can choose from a large selection of gift items like bags, dish mats and file holders or dress up a child’s room with funky hand-made puppets on show. Digestives and mouth freshners with different flavours made from natural ingredients are on sale and so are hand-crafted canopies, traditional Ajraku and Chunni (block prints) printed on salwar sets, sarees, bedcovers, cushion covers and skirts.

Chakkal, Chandarvas, wall hangings and bead work (toran) are available at the exhibition. Metal engraving on aluminium and brass sheet metal from Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Meshana districts and decorative pieces like jewellery boxes, photo frames, key chain stands and service trays are there to choose from.

The exhibition will be on between 10 am and 9 pm every day at Nagalakshmi Kalyana Mantapa, 9th Main Road (near the Post Office), BSK 2nd Stage till July 27.

Courtesy: Deccan Herald - Bangalore,India