HYDERABAD: Get a slice of Bengal right here in Hyderabad at the seven-day Exhibition of Handicrafts from Shantiniketan, West Bengal to be held in city from January 7. Organised by Swayambhar NARI (Non-formal Action Research Institute), a Kolkata-based voluntary organisation, it will be held at YWCA, West Marredpally Road, Secunderabad from 10am to 8pm daily.
Designer sarees in cotton, tussar, applique, different types of embroidery, Kantha embroidery, dress material, dupatta, bed covers, ladies and gents kurtas, mats, jute bags and different types of jewellery are some of the highlights.
Designer grass mats made of golden grass and Khesh sarees made using a unique technique of weaving old sarees by tearing them into thin strips are some of the highlights. Handmade stone jewellery are some of the other highlights of the exhibition. Different boutiques are also participating from Kolkata with their creative items.
The exhibition is an attempt to improve the socio-economic status of socially handicapped communities. So buying products from the exhibition help artisans, the organisers say. Besides promoting the handicrafts and handlooms, the exhibition lays special stress on shunning plastics and on the use of jute and other eco-friendly products.
Swayambhar NARI was started in 1988 essentially for women, but over the years the male craftsmen too have joined. It was started as a voluntary group for providing marketing facilities to craft persons. Today, it has more than 1,000 members. The organisation runs two craft schools at Midnapore and Birbhum, Shantiniketan besides schools in rural areas for the craftspersons’ children.