Mysore/Mysuru: The Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, is organising around 300 mega marketing events across the country to provide direct marketing avenues to the handicrafts artisans.

As part of this, Gandhi Shilp Bazaar is being organised at JSS Mysore Urban Haat, Mysuru, in association with JSS Mahavidyapeetha. The main objective of this event is to provide marketing platform to the artisans from all over the country to arrange for a direct marketing linkage between the artisans and the art-loving citizens.

The participating crafts persons can feel the real need and taste of the consumer and can orient the designs as per the market requirement. About 100 crafts persons including National Awardees, State Awardees selected through the Field Offices of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) from various States will be participating with their exquisite craft creations to showcase their traditional heritage  of arts and crafts to the art connoisseurs of the city.

The major crafts that will be on display and 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 the Southern States of Telengana, Andra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Puduchery. 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 and lac bangles.

The stalls are provided free of cost, travelling expenses, Dearness Allowance (DA) and freight charges of these artisans are paid by Office of the Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) as per norms. Since it is a direct contact between artisans and buyers, the rates of handicrafts will be almost reasonable.

This is a unique event showcasing marvellous handicrafts creations from all over the country under one roof and providing excellent opportunity for the art-loving public residing in and around the city of Mysuru to have a glimpse of all national crafts.

The expo at JSS Mysore Urban Haat, Hebbal Ring Road, Mysuru, is open to public from Sept. 16 to 25 (including Sundays) from 10.30 am to 9 pm.

The event will be inaugurated by Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha at 4 pm tomorrow. MLA G.T. Devegowda will presided. MLA L. Nagendra, JSS Mahavidyapeetha Executive Secretary Dr. C.G. Betsurmath, JSS Technical Education Division Joint Director Dr. H.R. Mahadevaswamy and Finance Division Directors S. Puttasubbappa and Prof. Morabada Mallikarjuna, Office of Development Commissioner – Chennai Regional Director (Southern Region) M. Prabhakaran, Ministry of Textile-Mysuru Handicraft Service Centre Assistant Director K.S. Sunilkumar will be the chief guests.