Mysuru: The ten-day Crafts Bazaar organised by the Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under the sponsorship of Ministry of Textiles, New Delhi, began at JSS Urban Haat on Hebbal Ring Road yesterday.

Karnataka Police Academy Director Vipul Kumar inaugurated the Bazaar. The artisans who have come from different parts of the country are trying to attract the customers by keeping their products in front of them and trying to explain though they do not know the Kannada language.

One of the main attractions is the clay tawa for making dosa, pots for cooking and jars for pickles, manufactured by artisans from Kerala. Shawls from Kashmir, Khashidkari embroidery dresses, tribal jewellery, the clay art from Delhi and the handloom dresses from different States in the country are the other major attractions.

Odisha’s Dogra sculpture, paintings, Maharashtra’s Chanderi sarees, Kolhapur chappal, designer pots for homes made out of clay, Gujarat’s flower vases all attract one’s eyes.

Bihar’s Mythili and Madhbani art, blankets, dhurries, West Bengal’s bamboo craft, Batik and Jardoshi sarees, cane furniture from North East States, wax bangles, traditional dolls and Kota sarees, Chattisgarh’s traditional Ikta sarees are beckoning the women customers.

Andhra Pradesh’s lace, Hyderabad’s pearls, gems and jewellery sets, vegetable print dress materials, Tamil Nadu’s wooden carvings, handloom dresses, Madhya Pradesh’s handmade skin products of different animals, Batik materials and bronze figures, carpets, foot mats and chiken embroidery dress materials, bedsheets, Karnataka silk sarees, Channapatna toys are all on display.

JSS Mahavidyapeetha Director Santanam, Planning Officer Shivananjaswamy, and Coordinator Rakesh Rai were present.

The master craftsmen from different parts of the country are participating in the Crafts Bazaar. There are 127 shops. An exhibition like this is very useful to the craftsmen. Besides, the customers can get so many variety of products from different States at reasonable prices under one roof. They should make use of the opportunity and encourage the artisans, said Vipul Kumar, Director, Karnataka Police Academy