Intricately crafted and eye-catching

KOCHI: Every exhibition is an experience to see and learn something new. And 'Cauvery' an exhibition-cum-sale organised by the Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Ltd., at the Women's Association Hall, Kochi, is one such example. Here you will see intricate handcrafted artifacts made by the master crafts people of Karnataka. One will see the famous Bidri craft on display. It is a unique metalware made by zinc and copper with silver inlay work.“We will put finished models in a mix of boiling water and black soil,” says Mohammed Arafuddin, a Karnataka Handicrafts award-winner. “This gives the natural black colour.” The prices start from `300 onwards. There are camel, elephant, flower vase, and wall hangings on sale.Another interesting product is wood inlay paintings. “The paintings are done on wood of different colour tones ,” says Venkatesh, who has done several pieces of Raja Ravi Varma paintings using this wood inlay technique. “To do a single painting, one to two months are taken. Hence, paintings sells from `20,000 onwards.” But small wood inlays of Lord Krishna and elephants are available for `50 onwards.Terracotta toys and artifact models of Ganapati, Radha-Krishna and many more by West Bengal artisans are also eye-catching. Prices start from `150. The specialty is that the soil that is used is taken from the Ganges. “The soil is burned and put in the moulds to get a basic shape,” says Badal. “Following that, the painting and designing is done. Oil, clay and terracotta are the only colours that are used.”Channapatna toys from Karnataka made from wood can also be seen. “The natural colours of fruits and vegetables are used to paint the toys,” says Meer Imtiaz. The toys start from `15.The other items on show include jewellery made of Jaipur stone, Hyderabadi pearls, Kantha work kurtas, churidar materials, Rajasthani handblock bedsheets, handloom sarees from West Bengal and patachitra paintings.