A platform for rare designs

Craft World

The Crafts Council of Karnataka is holding Kuteera, an exhibition-cum-sale of handcrafted products and accessories, at the Chitrakala Parishat.

More than 34 craftsmen from all over India are taking part in this exhibition.
The organiser, Nirmala Hirianniah, said, “This is the ninth consecutive year that Kuteera is being held in the City. It is aimed at creating an opportunity for artisans across the country to exhibit their wares and reach out to a large number of people. It is also a platform to revive traditional arts.”

The artisans include those from Orissa, Bengal, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Many colourful and attractive items are on display and these include handmade paintings, banana fibre bags, wallets, purses, Channapatna lacquereware, elephant grass mats, baskets made of river grass from Bihar, crystals from Andhra Pradesh, seashell artifacts from Tamil Nadu, Banjara embroidery bedspreads, miniature paintings, copper and silver mix jewellery from Shimoga, vegetable dye and handwoven jute and woollen durries, leather puppets, hand-made wooden flowers, madhubani paintings, ganjifa paintings, brass artifacts and stone-work items. 

You can also find plenty of jewellery in terracotta and white metal along with Bihari tribal necklaces, bracelets, bangles and earrings which goes well with all kinds of attire. The white metal bracelets and neck pieces with ethnic and contemporary designs are something that one cannot miss looking at.

The exhibition also has different collections of saris and dress materials like hand-painted tussar silk, cotton saris from Madurai, chanderi weaves, patola weaves, Kutch embroidery, kantha work, Gadwal saris, jute silk and cotton silk in different hues.
The exhibition also has a special counter for hand-made dairies, bookmarks,
paper bags, note books and frames. The bedspreads include those with Kashmiri embroidery work and colourful floral motifs on them.

Archana, a visitor who was at the exhibition, said, “This is the second time I’m coming to this exhibition and there are a lot of new things this time around. I specially liked the baskets made of river grass from Bihar. They come in different shapes and shades which makes for a perfect  decorative item.”

Another visitor, Sukanya, said, “I was spoilt for choice looking at the silver and copper jewellery and the tribal jewellery from Bihar. There are so many new designs and patterns here. Although they are a little expensive, it is worth buying them because the designs are rare and unique.” The exhibition is on till February 26, from 10.30 am to 7.30 pm.