Craft mela attracts crowd

Madhapur: Artists from all over the country have set up stalls to exhibit handicrafts at Shilparamam from past few days. People numbering more than two lakh have come to visit Shilparamam since these artists have come to showcase their handmade materials.

Various stalls have been set up from weaves, woodwork, jewellery, clothes and local crafts of each region. This place has become must visit shopping destination for all the shoppers in Hyderabad.

This exhibition is known as one of the biggest craft mela conducted in the city. More than 300 artisans, handlooms and handicrafts from across the county have set up stalls. There are 150 handlooms stalls, 45 national jute board stalls, 100 handicrafts stalls, 18 national awardees, 27 jewellery stalls, 18 wood carving , 22 hand block printing textile, 62 hand embroidery,35 shawls, 5 carpets, 5 terracotta, and 6 blue pottery stalls.

In order to attract public various classical and folk cultural programmers’ representing different states are being performed daily during the evening hours from 5.30 pm. Separate street of handlooms and handicrafts of Telangana State is one amongst the attraction of this mela.

Barkha who has come from Rajasthan to set up a stall said, “ Every year I come to Shilparamam to set up a stall, I make puppets, stuffed dolls and toys for months and bring them here and sell them till January 30. I make enough profits when I sell them in Hyderabad.”

Stall owner Chameli said, “I make jewellery with gems, earrings and neck pieces which mostly attracts youth these days. Last year I made good profits, I am hoping the same to be continued this year.”

Special officer of Shilparamam said, “On weekends and public holidays the visitors are more when compared to weekdays. There are a number of cultural programmes which will be conducted in Amphi Theatre. We have also arranged all the basic facilities for the visitors.”