What if it is more about the same old stuff in a new bottle? You wouldn’t feel disappointed at all, if you are planning for some Onam shopping now itself. In fact, if you take pains, you will definitely come across some new products and items at the shopping craft and handloom bazaar organised by Kerala Artisans’ Development Corporation (KADCO) Ltd at Kanakakkunnu Grounds.The expo is huge – with nearly 60 stalls. And a good amount of bargaining, can really make the shopping quite satisfying!Among the new stuff KADCO has managed to bring in is furniture made out of the wood of medicinal plants. Under the brand name, you get cots, easy chairs and other furniture, manufactured by AK Carvings and Craft based at Venjarammoodu.A cot made using some five varieties of wood and a divan form attraction at the stall. Just unlock a screw and the foot rest comes out. This particular variety of easy chair is priced Rs 18,500. Another easy chair, without the foot rest, is priced Rs 9500. Each item here ought to bag your attention for the sheer effort put in by the carpenters.The expo, of course has regular items like sculptures and idols, wood products, namkeens, products made out of bamboo and reed, colourful clothings from Gujarat, Rajasthan and many other parts of the country, bangles, bedsheets, chappals and earrings.And from among this lot, you can look for variety, examples being cute dresses for your little ones from Rajasthan and Gujarat, some embellished and embroidered bags from Gujarat, Bandini sarees, traditional Chungadi stuff from Gujarat, wrap-arounds and skirts, elegant jute bags from Assam, attractive furnishings, a wide range of kurtas and shirts for men etc.Don’t miss out on the stall from Manipur selling dry flowers. We know you have seen the stuff many times. Even then, do have a look at the ones made using midribs of coconut fronds or ‘eerkkili’ on to which coloured pipes are twisted and tied using threads. A piece costs Rs 10.There is another dry flower variety which again has mid ribs of coconut fronds and nets tied on to them. Your eyes might fall on the medium-length wooden sticks placed at the stall from Saharanpur. When the artisan told us they were walking sticks, we didn’t believe, for, they were not long enough. “They are indeed walking sticks. People carry them just to create an impression!,” he said with a broad smile. Each piece costs Rs 90.An artisan from Haryana flaunts some really appealing furnishing item. One is a whole drawing room set, comprising matching sofa cover, cushion cover, divan cover and table cloth.Original Aranmula mirror, Kolhapuri chappals, jewellery made by self-help groups, household utensils, toys too have been spread out at the expo which would conclude on August 20.
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