Sunday, September 5, 2010

APPLIQUE WORKS AT CRAFT BAZAAR


India is renowned world wide for its art and crafts. Art and craft fairs are held throughout the year where artisans get a chance to showcase and sell their unique art works.

The Crafts Bazaar at JSS Urban Haat in Hebbal gives one such glimpse of India's rich cultural heritage. It concludes today at 9 pm.

Mural wall hangings

Matthew Sebastian from Ban-galore, who captures your imagination through murals on wood inlays, says, "Creating effective murals often incorporate many different techniques, painting, glazing, and perspective to name a few. First trace the lines with a pencil. Next, paint the mural using high quality acrylic paints. When the painting is completed, allow it to dry thoroughly while still stapled to the wall. Then apply two coats of clear acrylic glaze to the painting to seal in the paint and make it waterproof so the paint won't be disturbed during installation."

Applique Works

Art and crafts are deeply ingrained in the very culture and traditions of Orissa. Tours & travels, crafts, everything seems to revolve around the reigning deity Jagannath. Each area in Orissa specialises in different craft forms. For instance, the village of Pipli is famous for its applique work. Though applique work is not known in other parts of India, in Orissa, specially in Pipli, the craft has a living tradition continuing over centuries.

"Applique, a French term, is a technique by which decorative effect is obtained by superposing patches of coloured fabrics on a basic fabric, the edges of which are sewn in some form of stitchery. It is distinct from what is known as patchwork in which small pieces of cut fabrics are usually joined side by side to make a large piece of fabric or for repairing a damaged fabric. As per tradition, the colour scheme of the three covers is predetermined. The stitching process comes under six broad categories like bakhia, taropa, ganthi, chikana, button-hole and ruching," says Suresh Kumar Patnaik from Pipli. "In the initial stage we stitch roughly and later we give finishing. It takes four days to complete a single work," adds Patnaik who has bagged State Award for his excellent creations.

Horn Work


West Bengal owes its skill in architectural splendour to its excellent works originated in the heartland of Bengal, its villages.

The early pages of Indian civilisation are full of descriptions of ‘horn combs’ which adorned the tresses of women in ancient times. In shining black and translucent shades of greys, Bengal horn work is still a fascinating craft.

"I make buttons, belt buckles, fashion accessories, novelties etc. from horn. I also make articles of daily use such as combs, penstands and flower vases," says Radha Gobinda Maity who is exhibiting his unique horn works accompanied by his father Nirmal Rao.

The JSS Urban Haat received an overwhelming response from the citizens and made a record collection of Rs. 15 lakh during the 10-day craft bazaar.

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