 Gujaratis,
known for their mastery over art are now trying
to expose their rich tradition and culture in order
to reconstruct the lives of the people who were
affected by the devastating earthquake, which killed
many skilled craftsmen, destroyed their workplaces,
and caused unbelievable damage to the goods and
property. Many cities and organisations are offering
platforms for Gujaratis to display their art works.
 The
week long crafts exhibition, Gujarati Mela
held recently at Shilparamam was one such
exhibition organised jointly by the Tourism Department
and Indext-C, an organisation from Gujarat.
The display beared proof of the grit and determination
of weavers and the craftsmen of Gujarat. "We
had to begin our lives from the scratch. It took
nearly three months to recover from the eathquake,"
said Ratilalal J Loncha, an artist from
Bhuj area. Loncha's stall caught every
body's attention. It had aroma filled embroidered
churidars and beautiful bedspreads. Ajharak print
items displayed at his stall were dresses and sarees
ranging between Rs. 50 per metre and Rs. 400 per
metre.
 Bhetha
Bhai from Dwaraka exhibited an array of items
starting from cushion covers to wall hangers, costing
as low as Rs. 50. Daring the scorching heat of the
sun, the craft connoisseurs of twin cities visited
the Mela and thoroughly enjoyed it. The exhibition
was crowded all through the week. "We did
brisk business during the week and Hyderabadis once
again proved that they have an everlasting interest
towards the craft exhibitions," said Bhetha
Bhai. The stall put up by Hemant Jadav from
Morbi was something special. He displayed sand art
pictures, sand art flower pots and other types of
sand art decorative items. Many of his works were
sold like hot cakes.
 Bed
works, traditional Chania cholis, wooden furniture,
block print and hand printed sarees, Patola leather
items, painted earthenware, copper bells, crystals,
Mutva, jet, leather, soof embroidery, Ahir, mirror
work shawls, kapads, torans and pottery formed part
of the expo, which was inaugurated by Additional
DGP, M.L.Kumavath. "This was the
sixth expo we have conducted so far. The other five
exhibitions have done Rs. 55 lakh worth of business,
while this one did up to Rs. 10 lakh business,"
Indext-C executive director D.H.Jalavadia said.
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3:51:29 PM 
