Intricate designs on display

Artisans have come in from different parts of the country to add their own signature crafts and creativity to the collection. Meant exclusively for handicrafts, there are over 60 participants selling their goods directly to consumers without the services of a middle man. Kirti Ranjan Ray belongs to a family of artists from Orissa. He painstakingly engraves palm leaves using natural vegetable dyes. His fold out panels are ingeniously covered with scenes depicting the temple carvings of Khajuraho with beautiful elaborate borders and detailing. In case one is uncomfortable with the explicit nature of the engravings, he has devised a panel made of the same material to cover and camoflauge the picture. “It takes me 15 days to do one picture fold out like this. I cannot work for more than 3 hours a day as it puts a great strain on my eyes,” he explains.

Shamita Basu from Kolkata has a collection of terracotta art in varied forms on display. Her pieces range from vibrant to earthy colours and include jewellery, wall panels, faces and miniature figurines which are quite interesting.

Then there is a selection of bed and table linen, shawls and stoles in different weaves and blends, gleaming brass ware in traditional and contemporary designs, wood carvings in various shapes and forms and the famous brass in-laid work that Cauvery is known for.
Also on display are planters and vases, bangles and brightly coloured beaded jewellery in all shapes and sizes from tiny dancers dangling on a wire to chunky tribal work. Also available are Madhubani paintings from Bihar, handbags and readymade clothing. The sale is on till December 13 at Safina Plaza.