Tribal Treat

It8217;s not everyday that you see them arrive by the dozen. So it8217;s a pleasant surprise to see invites pour in from two exhibition centres in the city playing host to 8220;official8221; read government-sponsored crafts melas.

Crafts from the interiors of the country make their way to the city

It8217;s not everyday that you see them arrive by the dozen. So it8217;s a pleasant surprise to see invites pour in from two exhibition centres in the city playing host to 8220;official8221; read government-sponsored crafts melas. From the interiors of Chattisgarh to the tribal belt of Manipur, metal work to terracotta, palm leaf paintings to bamboo baskets8230;the indigenous crafts from across the country are up for grabs. Here8217;s a what, where and how much of it all.

STATE OF ART: The Lajpat Rai Bhavan in Sector 15 is playing host to the state of Chattisgarh that8217;s brought with it a range of handicrafts and handlooms. First up are the shell Kaudi craft products followed by assorted cane items like mats, coasters, baskets, plant holders very pretty ones, lamp shades and more with prices starting as low as Rs 10! Speaking of hand-made artefacts, the terracotta line-up here is impressive as is the metal ware and cane furniture. If you are looking for handlooms read silks and the like then there8217;s much to delight you with. The weavers have brought in sarees, suits and fabric in Kosa silk, many of which boast of Kantha embroidery and pretty patterns alongside vegetable-dyed block prints. Expect to shell out anywhere between Rs 120 and Rs 300 per metre. The exhibition, which is on till December 25, also showcases cotton linen, hand-woven odhnis from Bastar Rs 350 to Rs 3,000 and ready-made kurtas Rs 300 to Rs 1,000.

TRIBES OF INDIA: Bringing in the best of tribal craft from the states of Orissa, Gujarat, Manipur, Rajasthan, Chattisgarh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh is the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd TRIFED by way of 8216;Aadishilp8217; on at the Panchayat Bhavan till December 28. It8217;s here that artisans get to present their crafts and interact with the urban consumers directly. 8220;These tribal artisans from remote areas of the country have brought beautiful creations in metal, stone pottery, textile, bamboo, jewellery and more,8221; mentioned Sangeeta Mahindra from TRIFED as we eyed dying arts as palm leaf paintings by award- winning craftsmen. What8217;s interesting to note is that the traditional arts have been used in contemporary formats to match consumer tastes. Like the beadwork diary covers, palm leaf 8216;shagun8217; envelopes, puppets on a stick, papier mache toys, wall hangings, black stone tableware from Manipur to list a few. You8217;ll also find stylish Bhagalpur silk stoles and sarees, blue pottery and wooden handicrafts. And yes, if you happen to find a whistling tune follow you through the exhibition, then do ask for the wind flute!