A handicrafts galore

The city is celebrating art, craft and handloom from across the country with Chittara. Presented by Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, the exhibition will be on till June 10, 10 am to 7 pm.

For many years now, artisans and craftsmen have been the support system of rural economy, cultural diversity, art, religion and fashion. Most of it has been because of the large export business as well.

In a small attempt to bridge the gap between the consumers and buyers, the fair is giving the platform for artisans to display and sell their good to the more-affluent audience.

Sanjana, a homemaker came to check out the collections available there. She said, “The things available at the Utsav are absolutely gorgeous. I’ve already selected a few things that I want to purchase and I can’t wait to redecorate my home with these exotic pieces. I love that I can get the best quality at an affordable price.”

Chittara has over 90 artisans who have used techniques like handloom, textile, hand embroidery, tie and dye, and printing, through innumerable, traditional individual and small-scale initiatives that have thrived out of villages and informal, urban work settings.

Pam Ngasainao of ‘Loreehamlei’ was with her partner at one of the stalls. They were selling baskets and purses made out of water reed grass. Pam explains, “We look forward to coming from Manipur to participate in events like these. We get a chance to showcase our culture and talk about our lifestyle there.”

However, she said that the sale hasn’t been too good because of the rains. “It’s quite busy during the day but the business is dull when it starts to pour out of nowhere,” she added. They also sold black stone pottery at the stall.

Some of the other stalls included items like Tanjore and Madhubani paintings, Pata Chitra, Rajasthani handicrafts, Odissa and semi-precious stone jewellery, brass and
copper items, Kolkata Shantiniketan bags and Jaipur Jutti.

There are also Channapattana wooden toys and accessories, cane products, handlooms and kalamkari clothing, khadi kurtas, furniture and mosaic lampshades and ceramic pots and crockery.

You can head to Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat on Kumarakrupa Road to experience Chittara.