Event Alert - WEAVES - The cotton & Silk Spectrum

When - 8th to 13th July, 2015

Where - Sindhoor Convention Hall,
             15th cross, 1st Phase, J. P. Nagar, Ring Road
             Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560078

            The Lalit Ashok Hotel,
            Kumara Krupa High Grounds,
            Next to CM Guest House,
            Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560001

Time - 11 AM to 9 PM

Started in 2006, WEAVES is an effort to promote the excellent workmanship, colour combinations and fine quality of Indian handlooms. It is also a step to help weavers earn their livelihood through their traditional profession and pass the skills from generation to generation keeping the weaving tradition alive. It creates a marketing platform for weavers to sell their products directly to customers all across the country.

WEAVES, has traditional Indian handlooms in cotton, silk and other natural fibres that are known for their richness, exquisiteness, variety and fine quality which are an integral part of Indian culture. Passage of time has brought about a change in the weaves, patterns and designs boasting of glamour, magnificence and exquisiteness but the importance of handlooms still remains the same.

WEAVES has a unique collection of sarees, dresses and dress materials, kurtas, kurthis, stoles, dupattas, bedsheets, home linen and many more. It covers variety from every nook and corner of the country and offers something for every age group. From kids, college students, office goers to elders, there is something for every age group. 

Event Review – Sampoorn Santhe 2014

My mom  is a huge patron of handicraft exhibitions and has the knack of picking up the most unique and classy sarees from them, so much so that almost all her sarees are from one or the other event like Weaves. She has collected quite a few trendy sarees for me from Assam Silk to Murshidabad Silk to a lovely one with katha embroidery. And not only sarees, even costume jewellery made of beads, statement necklaces, paintings, wall hangings, and various other artifacts and curios. Every time I go to Vizag from Bangalore, she has a new collection to show off and we would spend a good part of the first day discussing and marveling about them. I was so amazed by the unique and innovative products that I gave standing instructions to my mom to pick up anything which she deemed fit for me. She has an awesome taste but I usually do not like what she picks in the first glance but it would grow on me and become my favourite over time! (I can see mom shaking her head sarcastically with a half smile :P). In a bid to know more about our indigenous art and crafts and develop an eye for a good work of art, I also have started frequenting the art and craft and handloom exhibitions and I am hooked! I love strolling through them more than hanging out in a mall now (cultural evolution or first signs of old age? :D). So when Sampoorn Santhe happened to be in town coinciding with my parent’s visit, I made it a point to make a trip, the whole family in tow J

                If I have to describe Sampoorn Santhe briefly, I would say amalgamation of traditional arts and techniques with a clever and modern twist. I loved the fact that most of the things there would blend well with the decors and the tastes of today yet showcasing the rich heritage of crafts and highlight the finesse of the artists. Also true to their motto of “back to nature”, there are a lot of things made of recycled/repurposed materials and made of biodegradable materials and organic stuff. There are artists and NGOs from all over the country and it is heartening to see their dedication, sincerity and most of all their simplicity. They are eager to share their knowledge and their stories, and it makes for wonderful conversations. The prices are bit on the higher side for some products but I think that when we do not question branded stuff on their rates, we should give the artists a little leeway and not weigh the product in terms of whether it is worth the money. The santhe is held in the premises of Chitrakala Parishat which is a perfect setting for this kind of event. The colorful stalls nestled amidst the lovely green cover of Chitrakala Parishat are a treat to the eyes and you can easily spend an entire afternoon wandering through the place. And if you get tired, head over to the campus canteen for a reviving cup of filter coffee and a plate of hot pakodas or Mangalore bajjis J

So do visit it. It’s going on till 22nd June, 2014.

Here is Sampoorn Santhe through my lens (I know I totally went over board and went clickety-click :D)

Cool accessories

Loved the banana fiber bags and the colorful Channapatna stall

One of my favourite stalls - Ochre

Varied textiles

Loved the "Bajhinga" t-shirt :)

And the planters you see in the corner of the lower right pic are made of polythene covers!

Handmade organic toys

Black stone pottery and those picnic baskets!

Bonsai for sale

Loved the precision in both

Top pic - The hanging planter is made of dried lauki (bottle gourd)

Bottom Pic- The tree cover saved us from the afternoon sun :)

Loved the streamers made of printed fabric, such a unique idea!

The night view is equally beautiful

Coffee and bajji break after a long afternoon

Check out their facebook page for more photos.

Quick tip – Parking might be a problem as there is limited parking inside the venue and others are being redirected to Crescent Road for the same.

Event Alert - Sampoorn Santhe 2014

When - 12th June, 2014 to 22nd June, 2014
Where - Chitrakala Parishat

Sampoorna Santhe is a 10 extravaganza of art and crafts where over 100 from across the country will showcase and sell their wares. Sampoorn, a member of the World Crafts Council, is a non-profit NGO, working towards the promotion and development of crafts and the welfare of artisans. The event, an epitome of tradition and modernity, presents a mind-boggling collection ranging from garments; soft furnishings; accessories; jewellery; toys and leather products to pottery ;paintings; gifts and decorative items, which exemplifies traditional craft skills designed and coordinated by Sampoorn to suit contemporary lifestyle and tastes.

Check out their official website and facebook page.

Read my review of this event in this post - Event Review- Sampoorn Santhe, 2014