A Crafts Bazaar, organised by C P Ramaswamy Centre to commemorate International Women’s Day, is showcasing the artisanship and entrepreneurial talent of women belonging to non-governmental organisations and self-help groups in the city.
The exhibition, inaugurated by Suhasini Mani Ratnam, has on display textiles including designer wear, sarees and salwar kameez in Chanderi, Bengal cotton, embroidery work, Kalamkari, silk cotton, block print, chikkan work, Chettinad, Yardage and Bandhini. Besides, there is a good collection of children’s wear and home furnishings for the discerning buyer.
Eye-catching jewellery – traditional, silver, crystals, wooden, semi-precious stones, kundan – are also on sale. Decorative articles, including pottery and terrocata, glass paintings, Tanjore paintings, jute items, handmade handicrafts, Chettinad, white metal curios and soft toys, are available. Food items such as home-made chocolates, juices, pickles and podi are also for sale. An NGO has also put a tailoring unit at the venue.
Arasi Ponmozhi, trainer-motivator of NAAM Foundation, an NGO for young widows and destitute women, said the NGO had 160 members and out of them, 11 had put up stalls at the bazaar. Their products for sale included floor designs, cell phone pouches and wire baskets. “We also have a tailoring unit and take up stitching salwar sets, blouses and fall and pico for sarees,” Ponmozhi added.
This is the NGO’s fourth year of participation and the prices of the products range from `25 to `150. “People must encourage us by buying our products, which are very nominally priced,” she said.
The bazaar is open from 10 am to 8 pm until March 12.