The ongoing North-East Crafts Bazaar at Nanjaraja Bahadur Choultry on Vinoba Road here, organised by North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation Limited in association with Ministry of Development of North-Eastern Region, showcases a unique collection of traditional paintings on palm leaves along with  other items.

The palm leaves were the only material available during ancient days in the absence of paper to write Shlokas and Vedas which today have acquired a matchless archaic importance.

The artist behind this excellent paintings on palm leaves is Banamali Barik, 38, from Bhubaneshwar, Odisha, who has picked up the art from his father and uses only natural vegetable colours.

His paintings include the ornamental arch of Mukteshwar Temple in Bhubaneswar and portrait of Lord Ganesha in a dancing pose.

Barik says that he picked up the art by sheer observation of its father’s skill and contends that no formal education in art is needed to excel with he himself being a living testimony on his contention.

He has mastered the art of painting portraits of deities on palm leaves.

The Craft Bazaar also has a display of flower made from peels of maize brought out by a girl from Nagaland along with furniture made from cane, hanging lamp-shades, paper holders, hair clips, flower vases, wooden toys, cotton sarees and dress materials, bed-sheets, pillow covers, fancy jewellery, vanity bags and the list goes on, with many items vying for supremacy. The cost of items ranges from a meagre Rs. 30 to  Rs. 40,000.

The Crafts Bazaar is open from 10 am to 9 pm including Sundays and concludes on Apr. 12.