It is a festival of variety. Khadi Utsav ‘09, the exhibition of khadi and village industries products currently on at Kanakakkunnu Palace grounds, is definitely worth a visit for all.
For avid fans of khadi cotton and khadi silk items, the options are many. You get sarees, dress materials, saree materials, shirts, dhotis and mundu.
You can have the Ananthapuri Khadi Silk saree, a new brand from the Thiruvananthapuram project office of the Kerala Khadi & Village Industries Board (its Poozhikunnam unit). You get dress materials in khadi silk and khadi cotton, with and without embroidery. The Attukal unit is there with saree materials, both in khadi silk and tussar silk.
The Vattiyoorkavu unit, which makes the famed Uppalam mundu, has displayed the charkha and Cheriyakonni unit has come with the loom. The unit at Amaravila has displayed pottery items and artisans are even seen making items like flower pots, flower vases, candle stands, pen holders and other items at the venue.
The Kaloor unit is present here with pearl jewellery, showcase items made of brass, black metal and white metal. Telephone stands, book shelves and screens are also kept here. Leather footwear, bags, belts and herbal products are available at this stall. A unit from Nenmara has come with pickles and the special item is ‘veppilakatti’.
From Pothencode stall, you get scent bag (Rs 90), ie the perfumed bags which can kept in your cupboard with your clothes and the fragrance will last for six months. Thazhava panchayat, Karunagappally, has special items in the form of earrings, bracelets, clips and bangles made out of fibre plastic. The plastic is bought in large quantities from Madurai.
The presence of artisans from West Bengal with pottery and terracotta items is an added attraction. Kerala State Beekeeping Federation has a stall from where you get bottled honey in different quantities. ISKON also has a stall here. Palm and cane products, kitchen utensils, furniture, hand bags, shopping bags... everything is there. You can even have ‘payasams’, ‘elayada’, ‘unniyappam’ of Gramasree or honey-glaced cherries and honey-glaced ‘amla’ from Kozhikode-based Hi-Q group.
The exhibition, organised by the Board in association with Khadi and Village Industries Commission, will conclude on February 12. The timing is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.