Lepakshi expo draws good crowds

Tirupati: To create a common platform for weavers and artisans for marketing their products without the involvement of middlemen, AP Handicrafts Development Corporation (APHDC) has been organising ‘Lepakshi Cotton and Silk Fab’ in Tirupati from July 6 to 17 and it has been drawing good number of visitors.

About 60 weavers and artisans from the two Telugu states and also from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Odisha and Tamil Nadu have opened their stalls to display several textile varieties, sweets and savouries etc.

There was a sizeable demand for dress materials and Kashmir silk saris, Bengal silk saris, Bhagalpur saris and for Pochampalli tops. Several women were interestingly enquiring about the saris with typical Gujjari and Bandhani clothing style, which has its origin in Gujarat. 

The main attraction was that a sari can be folded simply like a small hand towel. Stall owner was saying that many women see such saris, but only a few can buy them, as each saree costs around Rs 5000.

A woman, Sumathi, has said that, normally she attends every expo being arranged by Lepakshi as quality saris are available at affordable prices. Women were showing interest to buy Madurai saris with price range of Rs 350 to 2,000. Similarly, Bhagalpur handloom saris are also drawing large number of visitors.

Jaipur bedsheets are special attraction in the expo. But, there were limited takers for the traditional Venkatagiri and Mangalagiri saris with most women preferring latest styles. A shopkeeper S Suryanarayana from Mangalagiri has said, “It is not the question of profit and loss. 

We are coming here every time for the last five years. Production costs have increased making saris expensive,”. Lucknow Chikon tops, Pochampalli tops, Kalamkari fabrics, Khadi clothes and hand bags were among many other attractions.

Speaking to The Hans India, the senior manager of Lepakshi K Venkateswara Rao has said that several weavers and artisans cannot market their products properly due to various reasons and seek the help of middlemen. 

To avoid them and market their works directly, this type of expos provide a common platform which would be beneficial to both weavers and buyers.