Handicraft exhibition in Chennai

Posted on 24 mar 2008

Chennai has presented an exposition where native utility items, handicrafts, handlooms and decorative pieces produced by local creators were displayed. Every piece of handwork was manufactured exclusively by hand presenting the tradition and crafts of national culture.

Exposition was inaugurated by K. Anbazhagan, Finance Minister along with the Gandhi Shilp Bazaar, organised by the Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation, and the Development Commissioner, Handicrafts.

At this exposition artisans and craftsmen from all over the country took part. Entire creations and expositions show different features of handicrafts and handmade utilities manufactured by around 150 craftspeople.

At exposition Madhubani paintings of Bihar was displayed, phulkari from Punjab, tie and dye and beads work from Rajasthan, Zari Zutti from Haryana, Worli paintings and leather chappals from Maharashtra, stuffed toys and appliqué work from Gujarat, leather items and lac bangles from Madhya Pradesh, chikan embroidery, cut-glass jewellery, carpets, and art metal works from Uttar Pradesh, pattachitra and silver filigree work from Orissa, cane and bamboo and dry flower items from the northeastern States. Craftsmen from the southern States also presented wood and stone carvings, bronze icons, wood inlay items, terracotta, papier mache, batik and natural fibre products.

Handicraft constitutes an important sphere for India, because namely exportation brings more revenue then sales on local market. Admirers of Indian handicrafts and woodcarvings are inhabitants of U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and besides the Middle East.

P. Sundaramurthi, Regional Director, Handicrafts, said handicrafts exports rose from Rs. 5,058 crore in 1998-99 to Rs. 14,527 crore during 2005-06.

This kind of expositions is very important for promoting local handicrafts and woodcarving practiced by Indian craftsmen.