Mysore/Mysuru: The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, a Nodal Agency for preservation, promotion and protection of Indian Handicrafts, is implementing various schemes for the promotion and development of handicrafts and welfare of the craftspersons.

As part of this, Gandhi Shilp Bazaar is being organised at JSS Mysore Urban Haat, Hebbal Ring Road, Mysuru, in association with JSS Mahavidyapeetha (JSS MVP). 

The main objective of this mega event is to provide marketing platform to artisans from all over the country to arrange for a direct marketing linkage between the artisans and the art-loving citizens. 

About 100 craftspersons including National Awardees, State Awardees selected through the Field Offices of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) from various States will display their exquisite creations to showcase their traditional heritage  of arts and crafts to the art connoisseurs.

The major crafts that will be on display-cum-sale are exquisite wood carvings, stone carvings, bronze icons, wood inlay items, terracotta, papier machie, carpets, durries, imitation jewellery, wooden lacquerware, pearl jewellery, batik, leather craft, kalamkari painting, Tanjore/Mysore painting etc., from Southern States of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puducherry. Artistic leather chappals of Maharashtra, stuffed toys, Kutch embroidery, dhokra casting from Chattisgarh, Chanderi sarees, Patola sarees, pattachitra, silver filigree from Orissa, chittal patti, cane & bamboo, dry flower items from North Eastern States, chickan embroidery, cut glass jewellery, carpets, art metal works from Uttar Pradesh, stone artware, printed textiles, Madhubani paintings of Bihar, phulkari from Punjab, leather items, lac bangles.

The stalls are provided free of cost to the artisans while travelling expenses, dearness allowance and freight charges are paid by Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) as per norms. 

The exhibition at JSS Urban Haat will be open to public from Jan.29 to Feb. 7 (including Sundays) from 10.30 am to 9 pm.  The expo will be inaugurated by MP Pratap Simha today at 4 pm  in the presence of MLAs G.T. Devegowda and L. Nagendra.

 Dr. C.G. Betsurmath, Executive Secretary, JSS MVP,  Dr. H.R. Mahadevaswamy, Joint Director, JSS Technical Education Division, H. Chennappa, Assistant Director, Department of Kannada and Culuture and K.S. Sunilkumar, Assistant Director, Handicraft Service Centre, Ministry of Textile, will be the chief guests.

For details contact A. Rakesh Rai, Project Co ordinator, JSS Mysore Urban Haat on Mob: 9844 550845 or 8553416939.