A rich repertoire of handlooms and handicrafts representing our tradition and culture brought by 175 artisans across the country greets your eyes at Gandhi Shilp Bazaar.

The artisans have exhibited their creative skills in the form of eco-friendly home decors, accessories, jute bags and sandals from Kolkata, wood carvings from Mysore, cut-glass jewellery, paintings made of black coffee, multi-string beaded neckpieces, wooden bangles, terracotta idols and cloth bags from New Delhi, silver filigree wares from Odisha and cool cotton kurtis from Rajasthan, among others.

A good collection of table spreads, luncheon sets, frocks and pull-overs in crochet lace works are on the display. If you want to gift a set of floating candles to your friends, the venue displays floral patterns packed attractively. Weavers found their means to showcase a selection of cotton kurtis with kalamkari patch work, etikoppaka crafts, stone carvings, wood-inlay items and other wares. Inaugurating the bazaar, District Collector V. Seshadri said that one has to encourage craftsmanship as part of marketing support scheme.

“The expo provides an opportunity for the shoppers to get the creative pieces of the artisans from different places and extend their support to the craftsmen,” he said. Deputy director of Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd Abdul Kadar said that the platform enhances the skills of the craftsmen understanding the needs of different regions.

“Depending on the market potentiality, they try to make better use of their skills every time,” he said.

The ten-day expo which was funded by office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) Ministry of Textiles in association with Lepakshi Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd will be open at Viswapriya Function Hall till March 3 between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> News> Cities> Visakhapatnam / by Staff Reporter / February 23rd, 2013