Nagpur: The Awadh Hathkargha, Hasta-Shilp and Gramodyog Samiti are holding an exhibition of Silk and Cotton farbric at Kasturchand Park Grounds from November 8 to 24, 2014. The timings of the exhibition is said to be from 10:30 am to 9 pm.
The Cottonfab-2014 Expo, which has gained a reputation for featuring some of the most exquisite, handspun traditional Cotton and Silk fabric from across the country.
It is a mixture of colours, prints and fabrics at the Cottonfab exhibition. This exhibition is organized by the Awadh Hathkargha, Hasta-Shilp and Gramodyog Samiti Society at Kasturchand Park Grounds for a period of 11 days in the city.
This expo features fabric and handloom designs from 15 states. The exhibition promises to showcase traditional and ethnic attire from various parts of the country.
Several stalls will display silk and cotton in rich colours from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Bihar, Assam, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, West Bengal, Jammu & Kashmir, Manipur, Delhi, Haryana and others, which is a feast for the eyes.
Each stall has its own special handloom, woven fabrics and prints such as:
* Kota Silk from Kota, Rajasthan,
* Chikankari from Lucknow and Banaras Silk from Uttar Pradesh
* Shawls and Silk Saris from Jammu and Kashmir
* Traditional block prints from Rajasthan, Kantha and Tant from West Bengal,
* Bandej and Ethnic print from Gujarat
* Kalamkari and Mangalgiri from Andra Pradesh
* Madurai Silk and Cotton Saris from Tamil Nadu.
* Raw Silk from Belgaum and Hubli Saris from Karnataka
* Lightweight Chanderi and Maheshwari from Madhya Pradesh,
* Sambhalpuri Ikkat from Oddissa,
* Moga Silk from Assam,
* Kosa and Ghiccha from Bihar,
* Chickan Embroidery from Delhi,
* Handloom products from Haryana.
The main objective of the Awadh Hathkargha, Hasta-Shilp and Gramodyog Samiti Society in holding the Handloom exhibition is to promote weavers, encourage and provide a market to the handloom industry. The original handloom industry is slowly fading away, thanks to power looms and industrialization. The society has been holding many exhibitions across India. They have been able to create a good market for the weavers and their handloom woven wear, even in places, where exhibitions are not feasible through this exhibition. The specialty of fabrics and prints from each state is different from the other. There is a wide variety of fabrics and the designs in the exhibition. Along with Saris and dresses, there were bedcovers, bed-sheets and sofa covers, many types of artificial jewellery on sale at the exhibition.
The Samiti believes that this exclusive exhibition is a rare opportunity for the citizens of Nagpur to see and buy all the variety of artifacts, traditional cotton and silk fabrics in various states under one roof.
The President of Awadh Hathkargha, Hasta-Shilp and Gramodyog Samiti, Senior Member of the Samiti Saheed Ahmed and Expo Manager Firoz Alam addressed the media persons.
Senior Member of the Samiti Saheed Ahmed while answering to a question said that compared to last year, 10 more stalls have been booked this year. He claimed that the response has always been tremendous in Nagpur as compared to other cities and states where they hold the exhibitions. He claimed that the Uttar Pradesh Government gives the Samiti Rs 2-4 lakhs towards organizing these exhibitions.
Expo Manager Firoz Alam claimed that against the popular belief, cotton is still in hot demand. He claimed that in fact it is increasing.
While answering another question, he said that almost every village in UP has a training centre, where weavers get training in advancements in handloom. He claimed that unlike old times, the thread is now drawn from the cotton in motorized machines which ensures a smooth and even thread.
