Orissa Art and Craft Fair inaugurated in Tuticorin

Municipal Chairperson R. Kasturi Thangam, inaugurated a 11-day Orissa Art and Craft Fair organised by the Utkal Hastasilpa Society, here on Saturday.

The fair offers a wide range of handloom and handicraft items from across the country, for all age groups and `pockets'.

Sarees priced between Rs.300 and Rs.1,500 have been exhibited in bold and unusual patterns with a subtle blend of colours.

The traditional Sambalpur sari is being offered at Rs 1,500.

Colourful Rajasthani and Kashmiri churidhars are available from Rs.300 to Rs 400.

The beautiful folk paintings from Orissa known as `Patachitra' (canvas-picture), which can adorn the walls, are offered in the range of Rs.200 to Rs.1,200.

The entire paintings have mythological theme.

In the handicraft section, wood-carvings from Saharanpur, brass work from Moradabad and madhubani painting from Bihar, are exhibited.

Gem stone paintings from Rajasthan, priced at Rs.300, look gorgeous.

Exquisite dresses from Rajasthan and Haryana, for both men and women, along with bed-spreads and door curtains are also available at the fair.

The stone carvings and palm leaf engravings made by the artisans from Orissa, are the other attractions.

"Stone carvings were made by craftsmen, who are the descendents of the builders of Jagannath and Konark temples in Orissa," says Bhagyarathi Jadhav, manager of the fair.