Saarc Handicraft Village
Artists from four countries display handicrafts
A new platform of cultural exchange has been initiated by the SAARC Cultural Centre in association with Ministry of Cultural Affairs in Bangladesh.
The initiation was inaugurated through the opening ceremony of the first ever SAARC Handicraft exhibition on Sunday morning at National Art Plaza of Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in the capital.
The six-day exhibition was launched by the Minister of cultural affairs Abul Kalam Azad as the chief guest, while director of SAARC Cultural Centre GLW Samarasinghe; director general of BSA Liaquat Ali Lucky were present as special guests in the inauguration ceremony which was presided by Dr Ranjit Kumar Biswas, secretary of the ministry of cultural affairs.
‘Such exhibition will let us exhibit our tradition of handicrafts to others and know other traditions. This six-day exhibition will bring the cultural variety of south Asian countries together,’ said Abul Kalam Azad.
‘South Asia has a vast variety of the art of handicrafts which reflect the variety of cultures of the region. Through this exhibition we hope to promote the distinctive handicrafts, get due recognition and save them from extinction,’ said GLW Samarasinghe.
Among the eight countries of SAARC, four countries- Bangladesh, India, Bhutan and Srilanka- have participated in the exhibition. The other four could not join the exhibition due to ‘undisclosed reasons, maybe, financial constraints,’ informed Samarasinghe.
Participants from the four SAARC countries have displayed distinctive and eye-catching handicrafts at the temporary hu-shaped stalls at the Art Plaza. The items on display show the traditions of the respective countries, and their ways and cultures.
Babul Nakrel, a Bangladeshi from Tangail, has displayed some attractive handicrafts made with bamboo and clay lamp set, tissue box, tray, plates, etc. It is Nakrel’s first time in such exhibition. ‘I am happy to participate here, and hope that most of my items will sell out,’ said a delighted Nakrel.
Shefali Chakma, another participant from Bangladesh, has displayed mostly hand-made attire items like traditional dresses of upland people, bags, and shawls.
Chorten Dorji, a participant from Bhutan, has come up with colourful clothes and items like purse, bags and wood-crafts. ‘People of Bhutan are passionate about and expert in weaving. All the cloth items here, you see, are full of different types of weaving,’ Cheton told New Age.
A participant Ranasinhage Mallika from Sri Lanka has displayed colourful clothes like shirts, trousers, sarong, bed sheets and others. This is her first visit in Bangladesh. She expects the exhibition will be successful one.
Another Sri Lankan participant Dinapalage Nimal Padamasiri has displayed gorgeous and pretty jewelry and ornament items. His items include rings, bangles, and others like small animals and ornaments all made of silver.
A participant from India, Khokan Nandi, has also displayed items like saris of different fabrics like silk and jamdani, embroidered quilt and scarf.
The six-day exhibition will also include seminars, buyer-seller meet and review meeting. The exhibition will end on September 27 with a cultural programme.
-With New Age input
