Handicrafts exhibition showcases talent of artisans from NE States

Agencies SALEM, JANUARY 15 Eye-catching handicrafts of various North Eastern states of the country worth Rs. 36 lakh are on display at the annual North East Crafts Festival which got underway in the city on Tuesday. The exhibition has been organised by the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (Purbashree).The corporation was created by Government of India in 1977 with its head quarters at Shillong in Assam State, to coordinate the efforts of craftsmen of the eight north eastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tiripura in term of input like credit flow, availability of raw materials, introduction of new designs and marketing avenues. The objectives of the exhibition are to provide marketing avenues to the craftsmen to improve their lifestyle and exchange their ideas with their counterparts of South India. Handicrafts carved by craftsmen of these eight state such as cane and bamboo basketry, cane furniture, cane women handicrafts, wooden handicrafts and colourfully-woven textiles, have been displayed at the exhibition. The handicrafts and handlooms of other States too are on display at the exhibition. A discount of 10 per cent on handicrafts and 20 per cent on handlooms is being offered at the exhibition, according to K. Bala Sundar, in-charge of the Purbashree exhibition. It has been targeted to achieve a sales turnover to the tune of Rs. 16 lakh through the exhibition, he says.