Handloom Expo at Shilparamam Offers Direct Market To Weavers
Tirupati: The ongoing State Handloom Fair in Shilparamam, Tirupati, eliminates middlemen by providing a direct platform for weavers to sell their products to customers.
The 14-day exhibition titled ‘Hathkargha Mela’ started on February 22 after a gap of nearly a year and will continue until March 7. The fair, which is open every day from 11 am to 9 pm, attracts the attention of both locals and pilgrims visiting Tirumala.
Around 65 looms have been set up by weavers from Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Bihar, Delhi and Jharkhand. Shilparamam Executive Officer (Programmes) K. Khadarvalli said the fair aims to promote and preserve traditional handlooms, handicrafts and rural cultural heritage.
A wide variety of handloom saris are available including Pochampalli, Venkatagiri, Gadwal, handloom pattu, Jamdani and Mangalagiri. Dress materials, khadi clothes, shirting fabrics, bed sheets, pottery items and handicrafts are also on sale.
Imitation jewelery stalls and the Narasapur crochet lace stall selling children’s dresses, divan sets and linens have emerged as major attractions. Around 70 percent of the stalls have reported good sales so far. Khadarvalli said the sales were encouraging and urged the public to visit the fair and support the artisans by buying directly from them.
