Lepakshi Cotton and Silk Mela begins

Vijayawada: Lepakshi Cotton and Silk Mela, organised by the Andhra Pradesh Handicraft Development Society, began at the Mari Stella indoor stadium, Pantakaluva road here on Friday. ZP Chairperson Gadde Anuradha inaugurated the handicraft and handloom textiles products exhibition.

Speaking on the occasion, she said that the exhibition was organised to benefit the handicraft and handloom manufacturers and create awareness about the products. She further stressed on the need to encourage handicraft and handloom products.

The government had granted Rs 12 crore for the construction of the handicraft bhavan at Amaravati. “The government has undertaken various development programmes by organising training classes on the latest designs to encourage handicrafts,” she said. Apart from all the Lepakshi showrooms in the state, the handicraft and handloom products would be displayed at all programmes organised by the tourism department.

Lepakshi manager Venkataramana said that the Lepakshi handicraft and handloom exhibition will be open till January 7. “Kondapalli toys Etikoppaka toys and wood carving, artificial jewellery , metal casting, kalamkari paintings, jute bags, crockery, tanjore paintings, venkatagiri, gadwall and narayanpet and chirala garments are on display at the exhibition besides kalamkari bath printings, Bengali cotton, kashmiri silk, Madurai and lucknow chikankari dress material,” he added.