Karnataka is known
for its sandalwood and silk. Intricately carved sandalwood sculptures,
Bidri work, richly coloured silks and other artifacts are sold at
the Cauvery showroom in Calcutta. Cauvery, a unit of
Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited keeps
the traditional skills of the state alive. Skilled artisans produce
handicrafts in over 15 production centres in the state for Cauvery.
Fine caskets, wall plaques, furniture and decorative articles in rosewood
inlay, terracotta pots, vases, lacquered softwood handicrafts like
jewellery, napkin rings, toys, pencil holders, vases, Navalgund carpets,
lustre-silk sarees and silk ties in modern and traditional designs,
all these and more are available at the Cauvery showroom. Incense
sticks, sandalwood sprays, bronze moulded sculptures and jewellery
items are the other artifacts one could find here to buy.
Poompuhar
Poompuhar of Tamil Nadu Handicrafts Development Corporation
Limited is famous for its brass oil lamps, bronze icons and granite
sculptures. It is involved in helping artisans and craft persons
since 1973 by marketing their artifacts. Training the artisans in
latest designs with the help of the Development Commissioner
of Handicrafts, New Delhi, is another laudable service
that Poompuhar
renders.
Wood carvings, jewellery, terracotta, hand-knitted textiles, leather
products and Tanjore paintings are among the handicrafts Poompuhar
showroom is selling.
"Poompuhar is a name of a port town in Tamil Nadu, which was
famous for the exchange of art and culture with foreigners in an
ancient era. That is why Tamil Nadu has named its Handicrafts Development
Corporation Limited as Poompuhar" says the Bangalore showroom
Manager, Anthony Muthu. Poompuhar has nine production
centres of its own where artisans produce artifacts in various media.
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