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.