JOIN USCottage Mela’, held at Safina Plaza, has a wide variety of products from different parts of the country. From the stone inlay work of Agra to the intricate pashmina shawls from Kashmir, the exhibition houses everything that one fancies. However, it is yet to pull much of a crowd. Not many could be spotted at the venue over the weekend and even the shopkeepers, who have come from different parts of the country, seemed to be miffed about it.
Parvathy, a shopkeeper from Bellary, was selling beautiful handmade and embroidered waistcoats, purses, bags and wall hangings. “These articles are made by women who hail from poor families. These are all hand-embroidered and hence, require a lot of effort. We are quite upset about the response that we have got this time and are just praying that more people come in and buy things from us. It is sad to see that not many take interest in handicrafts in big cities,” she says.
While the fancy earrings and bracelets were selling like hot cakes, other items aren’t as popular. Babubhai, a bangle seller from Ajmer, is a regular at these handicraft exhibitions.
He says that there was a time when he did not have the time to have his lunch because of the crowd. But things have changed drastically over the years. “All these bangles have been designed by me and I have a unique set of handicraftsmen who work with me throughout the year. Earlier, when I came to Bangalore for the exhibitions, the demand was huge and many came in to shop. But now, we barely have any buyers. It is only the regular customers who take interest,” he notes.
For many, like Sajid from Kashmir, it is the first time in the City . He says that he is waiting for the sales to pick up. He has a wide selection of ari and pashmina work from Kashmir. He is also selling silver and semi-precious jewellery.
Some Bangaloreans could be seen shopping and enquiring about the products. Puja and her mother shopped for friends and family at the exhibition and were happy to see the range of products being displayed. “Though exhibitions have become quite common in the City, this one always has some very good products. I have bought some trinkets and earrings for my friends and family members. It is a good way to spend the weekend,” says Puja. The exhibition will be on till July 14.