Value-added products, handicrafts and curios made from wood, bamboo, clay, bronze and silver; clothes coloured using natural dyes; and a variety of ornaments; are on display at the Ernakulam Women’s Association Hall here, where an exhibition-cum-sale has been organised by the Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation.

While artisans from Karnataka dominate the stalls where curios have been put up for sale, the sellers of a vast array of  garments are mostly from North India. Chanderi saris and churidar pieces from Madhya Pradesh, coloured using  vegetable dyes, are priced at Rs.800 and upwards. Kalamkari bed sheets, saris and churidars and Mangalagiri  handloom materials from Andhra Prades are also on sale.

Terracotta items : Craftsmen from Kolkata have brought terracotta items and garments with intricate handwork.  Readymade garments are priced at Rs.450 and upwards. Kashmiri shawls, bags and cushion covers are another  attraction. Merchants from Jaipur have brought chains made of different stones, ear rings and silver bangles. This is for  the first time that Pavan Kumar, an artist from Rajasthan, is participating in the show. He has embellished many of his  works with golden and silver patterns. Again, from Karnataka’s stable has come furniture with rosewood inlay work,  made in Mysore. A table bearing the portrait of Dusserah procession is priced at Rs.28,000, while a table and six chairs  has a price tag of Rs.1.13 lakh. Sandalwood products are another attraction. A craftsman from the State has arrayed  handicrafts made from bamboo, screw pine and jute. The items have a 10 per cent discount.

The Kochi International Book Festival (KIBF) is organized by the Antharashtra Pusthakotsava Samithy, Kochi, (APS) a registered charitable society, established to promote reading, encourage writing, and to heighten an awareness of literacy and literary arts in the State of Kerala. Established in the year, 1997, APS has so far organized 12 International Book Festivals.

While most book exhibitions around the world are trade fairs, giving prominence to publishers, book sellers, distributors and the like, APS decided to focus on the book lover and the reader. When APS entered the scene in 1997, books were sold in Kerala like any other commodity and book sellers used to organize book markets (Pusthaka chantha) to sell their wares. APS changed the nomenclature for ever. The market place was transformed to festival grounds. The ten day festival became the meeting ground for thousands of book lovers, writers, scholars, students, teachers, academicians etc. Thanks to APS no Book Seller in Kerala dare to name his exhibition as Pusthaka chantha (Book Fair) any more, even if they were actually fairs. The term ‘Book Festival’ has become a marketing tool for them.

APS is also involved in conducting various activities for encouraging young writers, such as literary workshops, literary and art competitions, etc. APS provides assistance to libraries in Kerala in various forms. During the last 3 years, APS donated books to 150 libraries and 50 school libraries in the State.

Details :

Venue	:	Ernakulathappan Grounds, Durbar Hall Road, Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala
Inaugural Ceremony	:	4.00 p.m, 27th Nov, 2009
Festival Days	:	27th Nov to 6th Dec 2009
Visiting Hours	:	10.00 am to 8.00 pm.
Closing Ceremony	:	5.00 p.m , 6th Dec, 2009

The Inside Outside Mega Show 2009 ( Kochi) is the largest event on interior design , furniture and furnishings , building and construction industries. A recognized  platform for national and international exhibitors , the shows target audience is architechts and designers , engineers, govt. contractors , and all who have an appreciation of beautiful personal and professional spaces. Quality visitors are ensured through invitations to the extensive databases , combined with print and direct mail advertising , hoardings ans banners. Exhibitor interaction with professionals of the industry and professioanals of the industry and national exposure of products are the hallmarks of the Inside Outside Mega Show.

Inside Outside Mega Show Kochi is organised by Business India Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd. It offers a platform to exploit the marketing and collaborative opportunities in the Indian interior and exterior design , furniture and furnishings of India.

Details :

FabIndia , an outlet that was opened in Indian to market the vast and diverse craft traditions in India will be organising a Diwali Sale of their products. !

Dates : 10th to 20th October

Venues :

1. Thamarapally House , Ravipuram , Ph : 301862-84
2. Oberon Mall, NH Byepass , Edapally , Ph : 4043636
3. Bay Pride Mall,Marine Drive , Ph : 3043517
4. Near Parade Ground , Fort Cochin

Traditonal and Trendy..! Thats the way to be..!  ;)

Happy Diwali to all our readers .!