Purbashree fair a big draw

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The warp and weft of the northeastern States of India are here again. The exhibition of handcrafted objects and handloom textiles from the seven States began at the TDM Hall here last Sunday.

The exhibition displays a vast range of textiles and artefacts crafted out of bamboo. Bamboo and cane form an important part of the northeastern States' traditional craft. Exotic items from the Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura fill up the exhibition space.

Displayed among the vast range of bamboo and cane furniture, baskets and vases are a couple of Khophas, a traditional cane basket from Nagaland. The Tenyimia tribe of Nagaland regards these cane baskets more precious than gold. In the olden days, parents gifted these baskets to daughters getting married. The baskets were heirlooms, handed down from mother to daughter.

One of the Khophas displayed at the Purbashree fair was made around 1920, according to the organisers. It was in possession of three generations. The last mother had no daughter to pass it on, and the basket came out into the open market as a rare piece of exquisite handicraft.

There are samples of fine embroidery from Tripura. The meticulously embroidered silk shawls cost between Rs.1,000 and Rs.1,500. A vast range of textile products including dress material, saris, bed sheets, pillow cases and cushion covers are on sale. The distinctive embroidered shawls from Manipur, baskets woven with fine strands of bamboo from Tripura, Assam munga silk saris, laishingphee and Manipuri saris are lined up. A large range of furniture made with bamboo and cane is also included in the show. The water reed mattresses and cushions are another attraction.

Artisans from these States have arrived to produce their handicrafts on the spot. A loom has also been arranged at the exhibition venue on which women weave the exotic textiles.

The show will continue till February 12.
(The Hindu-08/02/06-Wednesday)