GIFT-WRAPPED Much to the delight of art and handicraft connoisseurs, the National Museum Shop at the National Museum in New Delhi has been revamped. A storehouse of artefacts sourced from craftsmen from across the country, the highlights are its reproductions of pre-historic art forms: Chola sculptures in bronze; paperweights resembling the Harappan seal; Gupta-era coins; Mughal paintings depicted on crockery; magnets and T-shirts. “What look like intricately carved stone sculptures are actually moulded figurines made out of a unique mixture of stone dust and other materials,” says S K Kalra, assistant marketing manager of the National Museum, crediting the classy revamp to a collaboration between the National Museum administration, four experts—Malvika Singh, Mohini Menon, Lalita Phadkar and Neha Prasada—and the Handicrafts and Handloom Export Corporation. With an exquisite array of art—papier-mâché plates and bowls by Kashmiri artisans, replicas of pietra-dura works in marble from Agra and ethnic Bidri ware by Bidar’s artisans comprising flower vases, daggers and ink stands—the National Museum Shop truly lives up to its name. The tastefully designed shop also boasts of a collection of handbags, clutches, jewellery boxes, posters, notebooks, diaries, mugs, pencils and pen stands. The section with antique ornaments, silver jewellery, Jaipuri pillows, Kashmiri shawls, and ethnically designed stoles and scarves from various states has already proved to be a hit among women shoppers. With each item so richly embellished with Indian art and craft motifs and yet so reasonably priced, this shop is a must-visit. —Shilpi Shukla Featured in Harmony Magazine January 2011 |
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SURAJKUND FAIR - SILVER JUBILEE FIESTA
Article & Photos: Shilpi Shukla Alexander
Come, see... and get bewitched by the brilliant cultural tapestry that comprises India at the Surajkund Fair 2011
Think of awe-inspiring craftsmanship, cultural vibrancy, rustic charm, folk performances, sumptuous regional cuisines, and you picture the grand Surajkund Fair. Rightly described as a 'mini India', the fair comes alive with vivid shades of rich Indian crafts, folk traditions and cultural heritage every year. Skilled artisans, painters, weavers, potters, sculptors and craftsmen from all over the country come and display their traditional and splendid craftsmanship, in the typical setting of a rural Indian marketplace. Characteristic of its cultural mélange and exquisite exhibits from India and abroad, the fair is a riot of splendid colours yet again.
Organised for the first time in 1981 by Haryana Tourism, the fair completes 25 successful years in 2011. And this is why the fair (from February 1 to February 15) is more sparkling and eventful this year. Andhra Pradesh being the theme state at the Surajkund Fair this year, many famous folk performances are staged at the fair all day through. So if you want to enjoy kuchipudi, burrakatha, veeranatyam, butta bommalu, dappu, Tappeta Gullu, Lambadi, Bonalu, Dhimsa, Kolattam, Butta bommalu and other famous Andhra folk dances, Surajkund is the place to be. Also on display are beautiful craftworks of the state including banjara embroidery, brass artware, cherial scroll paintings, kondapalli toys, bidriware, pearls, kalamkaris and other appealing art forms. Besides, almost a caravan of 400 state and national-level award winning craftsmen from all over the nation has participated in the fair. The partner country in this year’s fair, Uzbekistan, has organized several interesting cultural shows and stalls in the fair. Craftpersons from SAARC nations have also exhibited an interesting array of collectibles.
Uneven and unpaved paths, dusty air, open ground, folk music playing at the backdrop and thatched platforms - coming to the Surajkund fair is like entering an Indian village. This rural fair is a good place to pick up some rare and beautiful items which one does not get in run of the mill handicraft exhibitions, local markets and malls. “The wide range from different states and countries is really exciting here. What’s more, here at Surajkund, everything ethnic and rustic can be bought at very reasonable prices. Though some of these items, specially ornamental jewellery and artifacts are available at these big malls, they are very high priced,” says Shruti Chauhan, a student. We couldn’t agree more! From beautiful mirror-embroidered fabrics, woven silk and cotton blended saris, floor coverings, intricate embroideries, beautiful lace work, folk motifs on terracotta forms to stone craft, metal ware, block-printed fabrics, leather goods, cane artifacts, woodcraft, jewellery, silverware, dolls, brassware, shimmering bangles, toys, trinkets, home décor items and many other hand-crafted products, there is a lot to see and shop in the fair.
Come here to buy fabrics, ornaments, footwear, furniture or artifacts, there is an amazing regional variety and traditional diversity in each item from one state stall to the other. Interested in embroidery? Check out the colourful phulkari work from Punjab, chikan work from Lucknow, suzni, chainstitch, crewel and mirror encasings from Kashmir, banjara and bunni from Gujarat and Rajasthan, kantha from West Bengal and Tripura, lace and crochet from Goa, and many other offerings from other states. Redefine the aesthetics of your living room with floor coverings from Namda, carpets from Kashmir, punja dhurries from Haryana, woolen carpets Mirzapur, and coir and rags from South India. For art connoisseurs, there are madhubani paintings from Bihar, phad and bani-thani paintings from Rajasthan, kalamkari from Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, temple paintings from Orissa, are also displayed in the Surajkund Mela. There is a fascinating variety of bamboo and cane artifacts from Punjab, sholapith and shital patti from Assam and West Bengal, rosewood and sandalwood woodcraft from South India, and chikri from Kashmir.
Enjoy some vivacious folk music and dance performances of different Indian states and other participating countries every evening at Natyashala, an open-air theater. Various competitions organized to entertain youngsters and playful rides and swings for kids at the amusement zone make a visit to the fair an ideal family outing. The umpteen food stalls offering scrumptious delicacies from various states are an added delight. When here, do visit the magnificent 10th century Surajkund lake too.
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BEING CRAFTY
By Shilpi Shukla Alexander
(This article was published in The Hindu newspaper
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Photo: Lovejeet Alexander |
Handicrafts Cluster Creations at Dilli Haat brought in the best that the States could offer...
The Handicrafts Cluster Creations 2011 that was on at the Dill Haat till recently saw avid shoppers thronging the place even during weekdays. Welcoming the fresh hues of spring, the handicrafts exhibition-cum-sale allowed visitors to indulge in a world of traditionally rich and awe-inspiring craftsmanship. With an exquisite range of metal, brass, wood and bamboo handicrafts to those in iron, marble and clay, the fair had something for everyone.
The stalls from the North-east came laden with exciting bamboo and cane craft pieces.
Handloom rugs, carpets, floor mats and durries came were made to floor anyone! “I bought two Kashmiri carpets richly adorned with traditional chain-stitch embroidery. The collection in the fair was really exciting this time,” said Ritu Malik, a teacher.
Zardozi and jamdani silk from Benaras, kantha silk from West Bengal, chanderi and tussar ghicha silk from Madhya Pradesh, cotton handloom from Uttar Pradesh, pashminas from Kashmir and the many silks from the South were a delight for the textile connoisseurs. For those interested in rich traditional work, there was kalamkari work and crochet embroidery from Andhra Pradesh, crewel embroidery and patchwork from Jammu and Kashmir, and kinnari work from Himachal Pradesh, among many others. “I particularly loved the Kashmiri crewel embroidery and kinnauri shawls from Himachal Pradesh,” said Su Li, a tourist from China. Decorations for home ranged from beautiful terracotta to wicker work, papier-mâché bowls to wooden trays, and lac items to kolhapuris.
While the regal touch came with marble artefacts, miniature sandalwood and silver items, reasonably-priced pottery and ceramic work from Maharashtra was surely not worth a miss. Foreign tourists seemed particularly fascinated. According to Marc Jacobs from Canada, “The marble artefacts from Agra and these beautiful miniature paintings from Rajasthan exhibit marvellous workmanship, which is the USP of India indeed.”
Other attractions were the gems and jewellery at the Rajasthani counter. Also, bead necklaces and footwear of Nagaur, textiles printed in Ajmer and Jodhpur, brassware of Jodhpur and Jaipur and colourful puppets.
For those who had their fill of shopping, the exhibition featured interesting cultural shows, live performances, food from the states, and interesting competitions
