As always, this year’s Kala Madhyam Mela at the Chitrakala Parishath has a vast array of handmade handicrafts, terracotta work, fabrics, jewellery, antique display items, and much more. With over a hundred stalls spread out right from the entrance of the Chitrakala Parishath, the mela features artisans from all over India, selling and displaying their work.
The atmosphere at the venue is energetic and lively, and the weather now is perfect for an outdoor mela.
Colourful ceramic crockery. Pic: Maitreyi Ananth
Chappals, jhoothis and more. Pic: Maitreyi Ananth
Jewellery (one of the many kinds!) Pic: Maitreyi Ananth
Show pieces. Pic: Maitreyi Ananth
From laundry baskets to tea coasters. Pic: Maitreyi Ananth
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There are a wide variety of products available and they include footwear, jewellery ( in terracotta and silver), apparels (khadi, cotton, silks and saris). There are also a lot of crockery and ceramic products on display. Cooking utensils and old antique pieces are also featured. Some unusual merchandise also made an appearance – old antique furniture, show pieces and hand carved blocks for printing. There are a wide range of art pieces being sold which include Madhubani paintings, clay murals and show pieces made of paper maché.
Ashish Biswas, the dealer of Bhima Garments explained the whole process of making a single kurta “It’s all handmade and they come from Madhya Pradesh,” he said. “The block prints are hand pressed, and the oil used is Castor oil rather than kerosene,” he said. “It’s completely organic and the cloth lasts for very long if well maintained.”
A few meters away stands the Chaya Nisarga stall. This organisation specialises in making eco-friendly handicrafts from wood and coconut shells.
“I have been coming and selling products at this mela for the past 13 years,” says Ravi Shankar Shinde, the organisation’s founder. “This mela is well organised, and there are people coming from different states of the country”.
Walking around the stalls, you see that chaat and fresh fruit juices are also available. At the entrance, people can refresh themselves with a cool glass of sugarcane.
The Mela opened on 25th May is on till 3rd June. Entry is free, and all the stalls are open from 10am to 8pm everyday.
For more details you can contact Kala Madhyam: mail@kalamadhyam.org or visit their site: www.kalamadyam.org
Chitrakala Parishath:
Art Complex, Kumara Krupa Road, Kumara Park East, Seshadripuram, Bangalore 
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