‘Urja’ exhibition to showcase Indian handicrafts

VADODARA: Over 28 artisans and 30 designers from across the country are participating in the two-day ‘Urja’ exhibition, organised by the Shree Maharani Chimnabai Stree Udyogalaya (SMCSU). The event, which began on Friday, is being held at the Laxmi Vilas Palace Banquet and features Indian handicrafts, handlooms, and traditional products."The idea is to promote artisans from different states and preserve unique art forms. Through Urja, we aim to bring artisans and designers together to collaborate," said Radhikaraje Gaekwad, vice-president of SMCSU and a member of the royal Gaekwad family.Artists from Gujarat, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Karnataka, Ladakh, Telangana, and seven other states are displaying their work."Since its inception in 2021, the exhibition has grown rapidly, attracting more artisans each year. Our goal is to create a sustainable market for traditional crafts and instil pride among artisans," Gaekwad said. She added that the venue was shifted to the LVP Banquet this year to accommodate the rising footfall.