FINDALLTHAT’S ECOFRIENDLY, HERE

Shilpkala Utsav will have 60 women artisans from 19 states showcase environmentfriendly handicrafts, food and home decor products

Are you too wheezing, coughing and cursing the rising pollution in the Capital? Then how about adapting an eco-friendly lifestyle? Wondering how to do that? Then head to the upcoming Shilpkala Utsav 2018, which is themed ‘ecofriendly’ this year.

Organised by All India Women’s Conference (AIWC), this festival aims at empowering women artisans, promoting crafts and eliminating middlemen between artisans and buyers. And, in its seventh edition, it will showcase eco-friendly crafts by 60 women artisans and NGO’s from 19 states of India. These will include textiles, crafts, paintings, jewellery and accessories made out of eco-friendly materials such as Maheshwari and Phulkari textiles, Patachitra paintings, and artisanal oils.

Kalyani Raj, secretary general, AIWC, says, “In the recent years, we have been working a lot on climate change and environment. Therefore, this year we have invited those women who are working with eco-friendly products. And the number of participants is a bit lesser this year as compared to last year, but we wanted to ensure that only those working with ecofriendly products are part of this year’s festival; we said no to people who deal in metal and leather, etc.”

The list of participants includes National Awardee artisans from Uttar Pradesh and Punjab. One of the National Awardees, Rizwana Khatoon, 34, from Mirzapur (UP), has been making Punja Durries for about 17 years now. She says, “I will display handmade rugs or durries and doormats. The flower design and Irani or Afghani design durries are a hit among people these days. What’s most in fashion are the herbal wash durries that are dipped in herbal water, after the threads are twisted.”

There are also participants from Delhi. Agripreneur Kaanchan Bugga, a resident of South Extension II makes organic artisanal oils from sesame, groundnut and mustard. “We work with small farmers and specialise in making cold press extra virgin unprocessed oils. We buy oil seeds — sesame, groundnut, and mustard — from our network of extended family and village neighbours to ensure that we get naturallygrown, chemical-free produce,” says Bugga, adding that she will also display some naturally-grown pulses and spices.

PHOTO: SONU MEHTA/HT

The event will present the culture of the northeastern states via exhibitions, cultural performances, literary discussions and food

A cane trayA pair of felt earrings

A terracotta horse