Saluting Feminine Creativity: Events in Hyderabad

PREVIEW FOR SALUTING FEMININE CREATIVITY

Feng Shui speaks of the Ying and the Yang. The 'negative' or the more humane spirit
is associated with Ying - the male. So be it ancient China or in present Hyderabad,
the female is accepted as the more godly. And no harm came to that reputation
at this all India women artisans' handicrafts exhibition.

The Mahila Dakshata Samiti started on 20th Feb 1990 at Raj Bhavan, Hyderabad, under the leadership of Suman Krishan Kant. Since then, the A P branch has been striving hard to give protection and immediate relief to women in need. Through its various activities, this organization aims at all round progress of women and helps them in becoming equal partners in the development of the family, the society and the country as a whole.

In that particular strain, they have been organizing the "Shilpika Haat", an exhibition of art creations, for quite some time, to give artisans the encouragement needed for their instinctive creative talents.

In this exhibition being held at the 21st Century complex, Nampally, the artisans who have come from different places like Machilipatnam, Palakollu, West Bengal, Narsapur, Sri Kakulam, Pochampalli, Venkatagiri, Tirupati, Lucknow and Haryana are displaying hand-made items like wood-crafts, needle-craft, lace work, zari and bead work items, soft and hard toys, brass work, jute work, herbal products, Pedana Bandok, handlooms and a variety of paintings.

The displayed items are very authentic and show the craftsmanship of the artisans. They suit the middle and upper classes alike - artifacts can be picked up for as little as Rs. 10, and also for Rs 3000 and above for some major collectors' items.

The highlight of this show, apart from the displayed handmade items, is the exhibition of rare and authentic Feng Shui articles by Chhaya Negandhi, a Pranic healing teacher. She says that her Feng Shui articles procured from China are cleansed of negative power and are filled with positive power, which can cure any kind of problem. There are a variety of articles in her display which are unique in their own self and can help in building prosperity, good health and a better career, and lessen 'negativity' and increase the 'positivity' in your homes, offices, factories, restaurants and all other commercial premises.

On the 7th of March, there will be a valedictory function, and the President Suman Krishan Kant and Vice-President of the Samiti will be the chief guests. They will distribute certificates to each participant.

This "Shilpika Haat - 2001" is being sponsored by the Development Commissioner, Handicrafts, Government of India, New Delhi. This is an attempt to give recognition and a proper professional status to the innumerable women artisans who generally go unknown and unnamed. Mostly these artisans are silent workers and do not have any exposure or opportunity to come out and be recognized as highly skilled artistic workers with abundant creativity in them.

This exhibition opens up avenues for them to come out of their homes and move out of their towns to display and market their products. And also to prove a point or two about who the true homemakers are.

Please contact 770-5327 / 373-2366 for further details.