Folk craft is all the rage at Kala Mela

BANGALORE: Ever sipped from a dried coconut shell or served tea on sea-shell coasters? Or tasted mouth fresheners made by artisans? That’s where Bangalore is heading. Craftsmen and artisans who have gathered from across the country with their talents and works of art at the Kala Madhyam Mela in Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat are showcasing lampshades, jute cloth, beaded jewellery and stone cutlery alright, and even sundry urban requirements.
The over 250 artisans from 22 states swear that Bangalore is a great destination when it comes to selling hand-made products and folk stuff.
G Ravishankar, craftsman from Bangalore, said that craft lovers are into artistic home furnishings and small decorative things. “My products promote eco-friendly products. The niche market in Bangalore does not worry about money,” he said.
He has been in this profession for 11 years now and says he finds happiness in recreating God’s creations. Sriram Sharma from Jaipur has got innovative about what Bangaloreans want. Sharma, who is selling mouth fresheners made of fennel and nuts, said they have been in this business for more than three generations now: “I make nearly 300 to 400 types specifically for Bangalore. My orders come mainly from here.”
The 10-day fair has more than 150 stalls of arts and crafts from each state. Artisans say the demand for artistic décor in the city is much more than in any part of the country. The mela was last held in May, and had seen 12,000 footfalls. The artisans had collectively earned Rs 80 lakh over 10 days.
“The reinvention of Indian art forms and traditional wear have much more diversity than western brands have for us,” said Mallika Anandraj, a student.