GOAN Temptations

GHRSSIDC,which was set up in 1980,has been working towards promoting the works of artisans. This was the first time that they organised a full-fledged exhibition outside Goa. “Usually we participate in other exhibitions held in different cities and organise some small exhibitions at places like Mysore,but we really wanted to come to Pune and test the response and get feedback from people here,” Mahanbrey adds. “We usually buy from artisans,market their products,organise development programmes,workshops and the like for them. But this time,we decided to let the artisans themselves interact with customers,” she says. And this worked in their favour. Through the three days,people browsed through the different art forms of the state that sat pretty at the stalls – from crochet and patch work to shell craft,coconut shellcraft,Batik work,jute and bamboo craft.

Devika Kalangutkar,who had trendy jute handbags on display,and Radha Pednekar,who had woollen accessories like bags,torans and so on,smile at the response. “Just the name ‘Goa’ is enough to generate curiosity. People loved the intricate patterns of our work,” Pednekar reveals. At another stall,artist Yeshwant Sanjgiri displayed artefacts made of powdered shells,wood and paper. Next to him,Mona D’Souza marketed her crochet,embroidery and embossed works at the Mona Arts stall. “I have been participating in such exhibitions for almost eight years now. I make everything myself. I have the patience to do all the handicraft work,but sometimes I run out of time. That’s when I ask some of my friends to help me with the embroidery,” she says.

All the cultural goodies on display were reasonably priced. “In the last two years,a lot of self-help groups have come up in Goa and this is benefitting so many women. In fact,at this exhibition,the ladies made a good sale. Plus,they got an opportunity to go beyond their small world and understand what customers look for in the bigger market,” Mahanbrey says. The next exhibition that they will organise here will be coloured with more of Goa. “We will organise Goan lunches and dinners which will hopefully attract a larger crowd,” she adds.