<p>The exhibition features several ethnic garments. Ranging from ‘tussar’ saris and shawls from West Bengal, sheep wool shawls and stoles from Himachal Pradesh, ikat weave saris from Orissa to the many different traditional Benarasi saris and tanka work salwars and kurtas from Udaipur, which are a treat to the eyes. There are also exotic bodo weaving stoles, in the traditional Assamese style and saris with Rajasthani sanganer block prints, in bright colours and bold patterns.<br /><br />Other handricraft items, like earrings, lamps and ornaments made with coconut shell, carpets woven in the durrie style and bags, dustbins and boxes made of cane and bamboo from Manipur are also available. One stall is dedicated entirely to papier mache items, moulded into pencil holders, idols, bins and lamps and painted with bright, intricate patterns. Two extremely popular stalls at the exhibitions are the ones showcasing terracotta figurines, such as fish, frogs, ox carts and birds from Orissa, and one that sells delicately assembled copper bells from Gujarat. <br /><br />The exhibition also includes a kite making stall, where kites made of glazed paper and other thinner materials are made and decorated with cut-outs of peacocks, parrots and butterflies. Anil Kumar, who has set up a stall that sells mats, files, bags and cushion covers made entirely of banana fibre, says that his products are selling like hot cakes at the exhibition. “These are made entirely by hand, and are extremely durable,” he says, proudly.<br /><br />Different art forms from all over India are showcased, including daboo painting from Rajasthan, Madhubani painting from Bihar and sanjhi crafts, also from Rajasthan, which comprise intricate patterns cut out on thin pieces of paper and then framed. <br /><br />Dastkar Bangalore Nature Bazaar features several evening performances, including a folk fusion concert by the band Rajasthani Roots and a ‘chhau’ dance. There are also certain performances that continue throughout the day, such as the Manipuri Dhol Cholam and Stick, a traditional dance form with swords, set against a drum beat.<br /><br />The exhibition also includes several craft workshops conducted to teach those interested about the intricacies of clay modelling, Madhubani painting’ and jewellery making. <br /><br />Harshita, a web designer who attended the exhibition, said that she liked the items on sale very much. “This is my first time at the Dastkar exhibition, and I love most of the stuff here. I’ve picked up some ornaments and some beautiful silk dress material for myself,” she says.<br /></p>
<p>The exhibition features several ethnic garments. Ranging from ‘tussar’ saris and shawls from West Bengal, sheep wool shawls and stoles from Himachal Pradesh, ikat weave saris from Orissa to the many different traditional Benarasi saris and tanka work salwars and kurtas from Udaipur, which are a treat to the eyes. There are also exotic bodo weaving stoles, in the traditional Assamese style and saris with Rajasthani sanganer block prints, in bright colours and bold patterns.<br /><br />Other handricraft items, like earrings, lamps and ornaments made with coconut shell, carpets woven in the durrie style and bags, dustbins and boxes made of cane and bamboo from Manipur are also available. One stall is dedicated entirely to papier mache items, moulded into pencil holders, idols, bins and lamps and painted with bright, intricate patterns. Two extremely popular stalls at the exhibitions are the ones showcasing terracotta figurines, such as fish, frogs, ox carts and birds from Orissa, and one that sells delicately assembled copper bells from Gujarat. <br /><br />The exhibition also includes a kite making stall, where kites made of glazed paper and other thinner materials are made and decorated with cut-outs of peacocks, parrots and butterflies. Anil Kumar, who has set up a stall that sells mats, files, bags and cushion covers made entirely of banana fibre, says that his products are selling like hot cakes at the exhibition. “These are made entirely by hand, and are extremely durable,” he says, proudly.<br /><br />Different art forms from all over India are showcased, including daboo painting from Rajasthan, Madhubani painting from Bihar and sanjhi crafts, also from Rajasthan, which comprise intricate patterns cut out on thin pieces of paper and then framed. <br /><br />Dastkar Bangalore Nature Bazaar features several evening performances, including a folk fusion concert by the band Rajasthani Roots and a ‘chhau’ dance. There are also certain performances that continue throughout the day, such as the Manipuri Dhol Cholam and Stick, a traditional dance form with swords, set against a drum beat.<br /><br />The exhibition also includes several craft workshops conducted to teach those interested about the intricacies of clay modelling, Madhubani painting’ and jewellery making. <br /><br />Harshita, a web designer who attended the exhibition, said that she liked the items on sale very much. “This is my first time at the Dastkar exhibition, and I love most of the stuff here. I’ve picked up some ornaments and some beautiful silk dress material for myself,” she says.<br /></p>
