<p>Crafts Bazaar 2010, a handicraft mela organised by Srinidhi Arts and Crafts in Hemchandra Sagar Kalyana Mantapa, Near Ashoka Pillar, Jayanagar 3rd Block, is thronging with visitors. <br /><br />This exhibition has brought alive diverse craft cultures from several regions and is providing a perfect ambience for year-end shopping. <br /><br />The stalls at the expo offer a range of items from dresses to wall-paintings. <br />When it comes to fabrics, there are traditional hand-woven Kalamkari, Pochumpalli saris, Bandhini salwar suits and saris, Bengal silk and cotton saris, Kathawada and Gadwal saris, kurtis and salwar suits. Hand-crafted wooden artifacts like toys from Channapattana and Rajasthan and wooden carved idols from Andhra Pradesh are attracting many visitors. <br /><br />These apart, you can pick shawls and blankets from Kashmir, paintings from Orissa, Tanjavur paintings and other artwork. <br /><br />Apart from buying products directly from artisans, the customers can also watch demonstrations at the mela. <br /><br />As a special gesture to the artists, this year a free eye check-up and cataract treatment has been organised in association with Narayana Nethralaya. <br /><br />“I have been coming to Bangalore since 10 years to take part in various craft exhibitions. We make block-printed saris of bagru work using vegetable dyes. The response from Bangaloreans has been really good so far. This year, for the first time, we are undergoing an eye check-up which is really a heart-warming thing and we are thankful for the concern”, says Vrishkanta from Rajasthan. <br /><br />While providing business opportunities to the artists, the expo is a wonderful opportunity for the customers to buy authentic products. <br /><br />Says Vimala Naidu, a resident of Jayanagar, who visited the expo to buy decorative items for her newly-built home. <br /><br />“I have purchased some bronze idols from Madhya Pradesh and dry flowers from Manipur for my home. This year, there is more variety at the stalls. I also liked the colourful Rajasthani bangles and tribal jewellery. I have purchased shawls from Kashmir as well. As I am buying from the producers, there is no worry about the authenticity of the products and the price range is also affordable.”<br /><br />The expo will be on till December 26, from 10 am to 9 pm. For details, call 9964365282.</p>
<p>Crafts Bazaar 2010, a handicraft mela organised by Srinidhi Arts and Crafts in Hemchandra Sagar Kalyana Mantapa, Near Ashoka Pillar, Jayanagar 3rd Block, is thronging with visitors. <br /><br />This exhibition has brought alive diverse craft cultures from several regions and is providing a perfect ambience for year-end shopping. <br /><br />The stalls at the expo offer a range of items from dresses to wall-paintings. <br />When it comes to fabrics, there are traditional hand-woven Kalamkari, Pochumpalli saris, Bandhini salwar suits and saris, Bengal silk and cotton saris, Kathawada and Gadwal saris, kurtis and salwar suits. Hand-crafted wooden artifacts like toys from Channapattana and Rajasthan and wooden carved idols from Andhra Pradesh are attracting many visitors. <br /><br />These apart, you can pick shawls and blankets from Kashmir, paintings from Orissa, Tanjavur paintings and other artwork. <br /><br />Apart from buying products directly from artisans, the customers can also watch demonstrations at the mela. <br /><br />As a special gesture to the artists, this year a free eye check-up and cataract treatment has been organised in association with Narayana Nethralaya. <br /><br />“I have been coming to Bangalore since 10 years to take part in various craft exhibitions. We make block-printed saris of bagru work using vegetable dyes. The response from Bangaloreans has been really good so far. This year, for the first time, we are undergoing an eye check-up which is really a heart-warming thing and we are thankful for the concern”, says Vrishkanta from Rajasthan. <br /><br />While providing business opportunities to the artists, the expo is a wonderful opportunity for the customers to buy authentic products. <br /><br />Says Vimala Naidu, a resident of Jayanagar, who visited the expo to buy decorative items for her newly-built home. <br /><br />“I have purchased some bronze idols from Madhya Pradesh and dry flowers from Manipur for my home. This year, there is more variety at the stalls. I also liked the colourful Rajasthani bangles and tribal jewellery. I have purchased shawls from Kashmir as well. As I am buying from the producers, there is no worry about the authenticity of the products and the price range is also affordable.”<br /><br />The expo will be on till December 26, from 10 am to 9 pm. For details, call 9964365282.</p>
