Mysore/Mysuru: A State-level Handloom Exhibition and Sale ‘Hathkargha Mela,’ under the theme ‘My Handloom, My Pride,’ will be held at JSS Mysore Urban Haat, Hebbal Industrial Area, Ring Road, Mysuru, from July 23 to Aug. 5 from 10 am to 9 pm.

Announcing this at a press meet at Pathrakarthara Bhavan in city yesterday, G.P. Srinivas Murthy, Managing Director, Cauvery Handlooms, Bengaluru, said that the event is organised under the joint auspices of the Development Commissioner (Handlooms), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, New Delhi, along with the Commissioner & Director, Department of Handlooms and Textiles, Government of Karnataka, Karnataka State Handloom Weavers’ Co-operative Federation Ltd., ‘Cauvery Handlooms,’ Bengaluru, the Deputy Director, Department of Handlooms & Textiles, Mysuru and JSS Mahavidyapeetha – JSS Mysore Urban Haat.

The Mela will be inaugurated by Minister Dr. H.C. Mahadevappa tomorrow at 4 pm. MLA Rameshbabu Bandisiddegowda and Guarantee Schemes Implementation Monitoring Authority Vice-Chairperson Dr. Pushpa Amarnath will be the chief guests. MLA G.T. Devegowda will preside.

The Mela aims to provide better market access for handloom products and to preserve this traditional art from fading away. The primary objective is to support the livelihood of weavers and to offer them a platform under one roof to showcase and directly sell their handloom creations to the public.

Over 75 weavers and artisans from across India will exhibit and sell their products at the Mela. Participants from various districts of Karnataka will showcase handloom products made of silk, cotton, wool and blended yarns. In addition, handloom products from over 15 other Indian States will also be available.

JSS Urban Haat Project Officer Shivananjaswamy and Convenor Rakesh Rai were present at the press meet.

Highlights of the Fair

A 20% discount is being offered on all handloom products manufactured by registered Handloom Weavers and Co-operative Societies.

The Fair will feature an extensive range of handloom products, including Mysore Silk Sarees, Molakalmuru Sarees, Ilkal Sarees, Kasuti Sarees, Cotton Sarees, Bedspreads and Floor Mats from from Karnataka; Pure Kanchipuram Sarees from Tamil Nadu, Traditional handloom products, Tussar Silk Sarees from Bihar and Jharkhand, Kantha Sarees, Baluchari Sarees, Batik and Cotton Sarees from West Bengal, Banarasi Silk Sarees, Chikan Embroidery Sarees  from Uttar Pradesh, Chanderi and Maheshwari Silk Sarees from Madhya Pradesh, Sambalpuri, Ikat and Bomkai Sarees from Odisha, Pashmina Shawls from J&K, Gadwal, Kalamkari and Pochampally Sarees from Andra Pradesh.

A wide variety of dress materials and handicraft items created by skilled artisans from across the country will also be available. For details, contact Mob: 98445-50845.