Indian Handicrafts Exhibition Completes Us Tour

An exhibition of Indian handicrafts and textiles was viewed enthusiastically by over 1,000 people during its third and final stop in the US capital.

The exhibition, Parampara (tradition), which was billed as a tribute to the craftspersons of India on the 50th anniversary of Indias independence, was held at the American News Womens Club. Earlier the nearly 500 exhibits from various parts of India were also on display in Houston (Texas) and San Jose (California).

Ambassador Naresh Chandra had hosted a special viewing of Parampara for several special guests, including U.S. officials and members of the diplomatic corps, before the exhibition was thrown open to the public.

 

The exhibition, which depicted the rich cultural heritage and traditions of each region, was billed as an endeavour to provide a window into the world of Indian handicrafts.

On display were handcrafted jewellery, fine woven and embroidered textiles and a wide range of cast and worked figures and objects in bronze, copper and brass, wood carvings and inlay work, intricate paintings, brightly coloured applique work, pottery, cane and bamboo basketry, mat weaving and carpets.

In the past, an exhibition brochure said, the craftsmans position in the predominantly agrarian society of India was pivotal, for it made the Indian village self-contained and self-sufficient. It had inspired Mahatma Gandhi himself to promulgate the concept of Sarvodaya, a self-supporting community.

Today, the handicrafts sector employs seven million people in India and form nearly one-tenth of the total manufacturing sector.