Salt Lake is hosting not just the Book Fair, a handicraft fair this week too. Anchored at the lawns of Aikatan in IA Block, the Nabard Hasta-Shilpotsav 2022 is on till March 8, 11 am to 8pm.
The fair is being organised by state regional office of Nabard (National bank for agriculture and rural development). “It’s no good if artisans make what they can. They must study the market and make what people want,” said M.V. Rao, additional chief secretary, department of co-operation, panchayat and rural development and board member of Nabard. “A fair like this is a chance for artisans to meet customers directly and understand demand. Marketing is very important and they must explore online avenues too.”
A.R. Khan, chief general manager, Nabard, state regional office, said handicraft could be an alternative employment for those deeply rooted in agriculture. “This will reduce dependency on the sector and become a reliable source of income for them,” he said.
The fair has 50 stalls, from various states and districts. Here’s what all they’ve brought —
Planter fridge magnets
Stall: 19
About: Artisans from Karnataka’s “toy town” Channapatna have brought cute fridge magnets, including one that doubles as a planter. The plant is inserted in a slim test-tube inside the wooden hollow, that has a magnet fitted behind. “We also have wooden mobile phone holders (picture below). The acoustics are designed such that the sound from the phone echoes and becomes much louder once inserted,” says Faiyaz Khan. “One no longer needs speakers.”
Price: Rs 630 for the planter magnets, Rs 330 for the phone holder
Kathiawadi tools
Stall: 6
About: “At Gujarati weddings, the bride and groom sit on such tools that are embellished with the beadwork that Kathiawadi is famous for,” says Parul Dave. The largest tools are 16”x16” while the smallest ones — 6”x6” — are meant as to keep idols on. They also have jewellery and curtains made of beadwork.
Price: Rs 500-6,500
Leather lampshades
Stall: 7
About: “These lampshades and puppets are made of goat leather. We colour them with natural dyes and hand paint designs or mythological characters on them,” said S. Channa Kullayappa of Andhra Pradesh. He showed off his crafts to special guests like M.V. Rao and A.R. Khan (seen in picture left).
Price: Rs 500-Rs 2,500
Rose clips
Stall: 35
About: These roses are made of velvet-like cloth and are attached to hair clips. “These are our bestsellers,” said Sobha Ray Hazra, who has come from Hoogly. “Not only did they do well at Saras Mela this winter, but we also did bumper online business on Valentine’s Day .” The clips, she says, are both washable and durable.
Price: Rs 35