Tirupati: Handloom expo to give much solace to artisans

Tirupati: Artisans have been eagerly looking for the handloom expo being organised at the Shilparamam here from today as they foresee good patronage for their products as it is the first such exhibition after lockdown in March 2020. The Shilparamam Society as part of providing a direct marketing platform to the weavers' community organising this Handloom expo from January 3 to 16 and Handicrafts expo from January 3 to 12.

All the 100 stalls were booked by the artisans out of which 60 have been meant for Handicrafts and the remaining for Handlooms. Both the artisans and visitors on the first day expressed happiness at organising this expo. A woman buyer said that it gave them some relief from the stereotyped life for almost nine months due to Covid.

The sellers were enthusiastic about the sales during this festival period. An artisan S Gangadhara from Nimmalakunta near Dharmavaram in Anantapur district said they were engaged in making various art pieces with leather by designing various paintings on them. Table lamps, wall hangings, domes to keep in living rooms etc are available ranging from Rs 100 to 20,000. As coronavirus has shattered their lives, he has been hoping for good business here.

P Revathi has opened a stall to sell various dresses. She said huge stocks were with them for the past nine months. As the trend keeps changing, these dresses may become outdated now which forces them to sell them for lower prices. Several artisans were in despair about their future but expecting a good patronage this time.

Shilparamam Administrative Officer K Khadarvalli said they have taken all possible care and caution to spread awareness among the public about the threat posed by the Covid and implementing the standard operating procedure and other safety norms.

Meanwhile, the expo was inaugurated by TUDA Chairman Chevireddy Bhaskar Reddy on Sunday which was attended by Deputy Director (Handicrafts) M Prabhakaran, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) V Himaja Kumar, Shilparamam CEO B Jayaraj and General Manager Guruprasad.

The speakers felt that there was a compelling need to intensify marketing activities and provide a marketing platform to the weavers and artisans who are hard hit and lost livelihood with the outbreak of Covid-19 pandemic.