The stories of skilled hands-THE HINDU

It takes a sweeping glance to see the vibrant arts and crafts showcased in the main hall of Pandiyan Hotel. But to feel the value of the exhibition requires spending some time in every stall and learning about the effort taken to make the creative items. With 35 master weavers and craftpersons drawn from different States, almost half of the country’s ethnic treasures is on display under one roof.

Initiated by the hotel’s social wing, the Pace Foundation, it is a wonderful promotional opportunity for the artisans to directly meet with a serious audience of buyers and collectors. Coimbatore-based Radha Prasad and Hema Khona from the Crafts Council of Tamil Nadu have helped in getting the artisans for the exclusive expo.

There is a burst of colours, fresh energy and variety at this immersive festival. From hand woven and hand embroidered textiles to age old craft that is better than any machine produce wows you with simplicity, charm and exquisite workmanship. Pawan Prajapati from Rajasthan shows his miniature paintings through a magnifying glass. The fine lines, for instance the wrinkles in the face of an aged man, or elements like a small insect feeding on a plant or the minute decorations on a caparisoned elephant, are not visible to the naked eye.

Depending on the size, work and time taken the price of these paintings are fixed, says Prajapati, who also worries that the community of miniature artists in Jaipur has shrunk from 16,000 in the 1980s to barely 30. Majority of them are aged above 50 years.

“People should value the rich traditions of our crafts and arts and not allow them to fade away through neglect,” says Hema. “Only when these artisans are in demand, will they and their art survive,” she says.

“To make them sustainable, we need to create a nice market with innovative products,” says Radha pointing to the Toda tribes’ products from Ooty. “From shawls, they expanded business with cushion covers, variety of bags and purses, stoles, mufflers and gift tags and are doing well,” she adds.

Aksh Kumar Bariki from Raghurajpur, Odisha, demonstrates his drawing skill on a palm leaf with an iron scriber to any customer willing to pause. “It is an opportunity to understand the products and lifestyle of these unknown but skilled men and women working out of their rural homes with minimal resources for a living,” says Dr.G Vasudevan, the hotel’s Executive Director, who wishes to make the exhibition an annual affair, if there is good public response. “Every work displayed here is not only exclusive but also hides a slice of history and heritage of each region,” he adds.

This new year if you want to decorate your home with traditional Indian painting, you can choose from Bihar’s Madhubani to Madhya Pradesh’s Gonda art. Likewise for fabric and saris, there is a good choice from linen, Ikat, Kota, Kalamkari, Pochampally and Lambadi tribal embroidery. A star attraction, however, is the bamboo and banana fibre sari brought by weaver P V Prakasham from Coimbatore. From Tirupur Senthil Nathan has got the Ayur fabric which is handmade and herbally treated with tulsi, neem, haldi and fashioned into yoga mats, durries and rugs and more. “The products are allergy-free,” he says.

There are several eye-catching artefacts at the stalls of pith and shell crafts from Bengal, Dokra jewellery from Odisha, decal coated wooden crockery from Moradabad, crochet work from Bangalore and many more items seen first time in Madurai. The enthusiasm for art patronage may have shrunk but there is a need for a revival of the traditional art and craft and a visit to the festival guarantees a culturally rich experience. “When people get a chance to interact personally with the talented artisans, they also feel inclined to make space in their homes for the unique creations,” says Radha.

Where:

@ITC’s Fortune Pandiyan Hotel

December 27to 29, 10 am to 8 pm

Price range: ₹50 to ₹500,000