JOIN USThe Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) will throw open to the public the Bengaluru Santhe on S V Road, a permanent exhibition and marketing infrastructure for the display and sale of handicrafts, handlooms, folk and fine arts shortly.
Set up by the State Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department and supported by the Union Ministry of Rural Development, the facility will consist 38 stalls for eateries and exquisite art and craftworks by approximately 70 rural artisans and self-help groups from Karnataka.
“The products with the themes ‘Best of Karnataka’ and ‘Best of India’ will be handed to participants for 10 to 90 days. It will also provide opportunities to rural people to participate so as to present the best and brightest available,” BMRCL said.
Conceptualised by alternative building technology specialists M R Yogananda and Subhas Chandra Basu, the Santhe will showcase traditional housing structures common in Karnataka’s countryside like Thotti mane, Katti mane and Gumbaj.
The terms of participation offered to rural people include a minimum fee of Rs 100-Rs 150 per stall per day, inclusive of electricity charge, besides a revenue share of five per cent of gross sales. “The revenue collected shall be expended for the upkeep of the Santhe.”