Lepakshi Crafts Bazaar: Events in Hyderabad

REVIEW FOR LEPAKSHI CRAFTS BAZAAR

The Andhra Pradesh Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited is organising a Mega Lepakshi Crafts Bazaar, from 5th to 15th October, at the People's Plaza grounds. With 160 stalls, this exhibition boasts of everything in handicrafts and handlooms under one roof.

At the entrance, there are about four outdoor stalls with beautiful stocks of terracota pots and idols, Khurja crockery and other pottery products from Uttar Pradesh. After the security frisking, as you enter the hall, you will be greeted by two charming idols of Lord Balaji and Lord Krishna made of rose wood and white wood, costing Rs. 3,82,750 and Rs. 1,20,250 respectively.

Behind these idols, on the wall, there is a 47 x 11 ft giant cloth containing 1,926 figures of the dashavataras, done in Kalamkari paintings by K Sivaprasada Reddy of Tangatur. It took him six months to complete this art, which earned him a place in the Limca Book of Records.

Proceeding towards the stalls, there are ten rows stocking Rajasthani marbles and puppets, Shantiniketan bags, metal cuttings from Madhya Pradesh, perfumes and agarbathis from Karnataka, Kashmir jewellery, leaf paintings and applique work from Orissa, miniature and gem stone paintings from Uttar Pradesh, paintings from Nirmal and Cherial.

There are also oxidised metal statues, leather puppets and lamp shades from Andhra Pradesh; exquisite rosewood and carving furniture from Karnataka; Thanjavur paintings and Chennapatnam toys from Tamil Nadu; cane and bamboo collection from Rajasthan; veenas from Bobbili; and cutwork panels, stone carvings, dokra, bidri, batik paintings, thread paintings, Kondapalli and Ettikoppaka toys, crochet laces and cotton durries from Andhra Pradesh.

The handloom collection is no less. With stocks of overflowing colourful saris, this section is attracting lots of women, and the fabrics are getting cleared off the racks like hot cakes. It has everything to offer, like the Barmeri prints from Rajasthan, hand block prints, Banjara embroidery from Andhra Pradesh, Chanderi and Maheshwari saris from Madhya Pradesh, handloom saris from West Bengal, Sambalpuri saris from Orissa, Chikan work from Lucknow, Pulkari work from Punjab, Chettinad handlooms from Tamil Nadu, block prints from Jaipur, room carpets and Tussar silk from Uttar Pradesh, Kashmiri silk saris, and Paithani saris from Maharashtra.

There is no entry fee. Please contact 2761-6461/2761-1957 for further details.