THE DENIZENS of Bhopal can enjoy a ten-day craft exhibition ‘National Crafts Bazaar- 2006’ at Gauhar Mahal in Bhopal– a joint initiative of Ministry of Textile (Government of India) and MP Handicrafts & Handlooms Corporation (MPHHC) from April 1 to 10.
The Crafts Bazaar will be formally inaugurated by Ramakant Tiwari, Minister, Animal Husbandry and MPHHC chairman at 7 pm on April 2.
While the office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textile, Government of India, has financed Rs 8.5 lakh, the state's Corporation would organise the exhibition.
In a press conference on Friday, the new managing director, MPHHC, SS Uppal, said the exhibition would showcase variety of crafts of ceramic, pottery, terracotta, grass, bamboo, metal work, leather and wood developed by artisans from all across the country. “We're trying to make this exhibition different from the previous ones by displaying improvised products and artifacts,” he said.
The organisers have set a sales target of Rs 20-25 lakh, which they expect, to exceed. The exhibition would also showcase handloom, silk, zardozi and jute works, along with jewellery and other products. Nearly 150 artisans are expected to participate in it.
The assistant director, Office of the Development Commissioner, SV Deshpande, said the objective of the exhibition is not only to give platform to artisans from different states and that of MP, but also to have interactions between them so that the artisans of the state could be benefited.
{{/usCountry}}The assistant director, Office of the Development Commissioner, SV Deshpande, said the objective of the exhibition is not only to give platform to artisans from different states and that of MP, but also to have interactions between them so that the artisans of the state could be benefited.
{{/usCountry}}“Our Baba Saheb Rashtriya Vikas Yojna helps local artisans and craftspersons to improvise their products with the guidance from experts,” he mentioned. Utilising the scheme, the craftsmen have developed new variety have products in leather. “It wouldn't be just decorative pieces, but utility ones made of leather,” said Deshpande.
Later speaking to Hindustan Times, Uppal said the State would now onwards bring handlooms, handicrafts, khadi and sericulture under one roof so that cost of organising exhibitions would be low vis-à-vis product range would get wider.