Be it kalamkari kaftans or Kanjeevaram saris, ethnic ensembles can always bestow a special charm on you. And if you are looking for refreshing your collection head straight to the Gujarat Handicrafts Exhibition at Jawahar Balabhavan, Kanakakkunnu. A good range of traditional weaves and crafts are displayed at the expo which also offers a rebate of 20% on handlooms and 10% on handicrafts. And for shopaholics it’s a chance to browse, enjoy and buy ethnic products made by skilled weavers, artists and craftsmen across the nation. The expo aims at improving the livelihood of crafts men and weavers while completely avoiding middlemen.
There are textiles and artifacts from nine Indian states that include Gujarat, Rajasthan, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pardesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha and Karnataka. You will find the latest trends in tussar, mooga, guicha, raw silk and linen on offer. Gujarati traditional block, batik, Kutch, vegetable print, bandhini and brush printed saris are available in silk and cotton. Moreover, there are salwar sets, tops, kurtis, chaniya cholis, lehengas, gagra cholis, kaftans and Lucknow dress material. Every product showcased at the expo gives an insight into the subtle and fine elements of tradition, making it unique. Ethnic saris and kurtis of phoolkari designs, chikanwork, screen print, embroidery and mirror work are available at its highest quality. Applique and embroidery worked bed spreads, cushion covers, designer bedsheets and decorative mats with lace work are also available. Spreading more traditional flavour, the expo also offers white metal ornaments including chains, studs and pendants crafted out of Jaipur’s precious and semi precious stones. Also on offer are Gujarati bangles studded with Australian diamonds, necklaces made of true Rajasthan diamonds and 22 carat gold covered ornaments made of coral, emerald and other stones.
A solid collection of wall-hangings,, pictures, brass, black and white metal pooja items, Channapatna toys and wooden idols are other highlights. The exhibition, organised under the development scheme of the Government of India, is on till August 31. Walk in any time between 10 am to 8 pm.