Post News Network
Bhubaneswar, Jan 9: Artists from across the country Friday wooed city residents with creatively designed silk clothes ranging from sarees, dupattas and shawls at Prakrit, a silk exhibition-cum-sale programme organised by the Madhya Pradesh Silk Federation.
Intricate use of silk is drawing more and more customers to the fair which was inaugurated by minister of textiles, handloom and handicrafts Snehangini Chhuria.
“I am delighted to be a part of this event. I welcome the artists, weavers and organisers who have come to Orissa for exhibiting their work,” Chhuria said. She also said artists from Orissa also visit different states and even travel abroad to display their art forms and informed that the artists were getting a good response.
The organisers informed the media that the main objective for organising such events is to provide market links to the financially-weak silk reeler/weavers working with the federation and to receive and promote traditional art and artisanship of the state with the prime object of awareness and to educate common people on pure silk.
Talking to Orissa Post, Pramod Pathak, assistant manager, MP Silk Federation said, “We visit several states to promote the products of weavers. Basically, we target states which buy raw silk from us and do the finishing work at their own place. However, we are now also trying to expand our horizons by moving to other states too.”
Artists from across the state were busy since the start of the event showing and explaining the virtue of their products to the customers. Many claimed that they made a good business even from the starting. Zama Ansari, who came all the way from Varanasi (UP), was delighted with the response he got from the visitors. “I sold many Benarasi sarees to the customers. The most appeasing thing for me was I never felt the need to explain my product. People in the city were seen well versed with Benarasi sarees. Even in the very first hour since the counter opened, I knew there would be a good response from the people for my product.”
Another person who came from Bhagalpur (Bihar) was busy showing visitors sarees with Madhubani paintings printed on them. “Madhubani paintings are very famous in Bihar and are in fact proud of this. I tried to depict this art on silk sarees. We bought the silk from MP Silk Federation and tried to add the local flavour of my area. I am hopeful of a good business during this exhibition”
Ratan Biswas, another artist from the neighbouring state of West Bengal, sold Katawar, Tamdari and Baluchuri designer works to the visitors. “I have been in this business for the last five years. With the support and continuous supply of raw silk I have been able to do the finishing work. Usually I sell my craft work in Kolkata itself, but I have been visiting different states for such exhibitions to promote our work in different parts.
Even artists from Orissa did not shy away from selling their products in their home state. Shiv Narain Meher who came from Sonepur in the state was also seen selling his art work. “I have been working on Ikat designs for the last 12 years. I have been exclusively working on silk. Our Ikat design work involves tying the silk, dying the after product and then finally weaving it to make an eye-catching dress material.
The exhibition is being held at Hotel Mayfair Lagoon in Jaydev Vihar. Launched Friday, the exhibition will be open from 11 pm to 9 pm till its concluding day January 13.
