Mangalore : MP Nalin Kumar inaugurated the Gandhi Shilp Bazaar, National level Handicrafts Mela held at Woodlands Hotel on January 6, Friday.

The mela is sponsored by the office of the Development Commissioner, Ministry of Textiles organized by ‘Cauvery’, Karnataka State Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited, the pioneers in preserving, developing and promoting the timeless treasures of the state.

Speaking at the press meet after the inauguration, he said that over 150 artisans from various state across the country including National and State awardees are participating and offering the rarest artifacts to the connoisseurs of arts and crafts of Mangalore.

Prabhakar, senior assistant director of KSHDC said that the exhibition cum sale will be held from Jan 6 to Jan 15 from 10 am to 8 pm including Sunday. The stalls for the artisans are given free of cost. All those travelling from beyond 500 kms are being paid transportation allowance.

The exhibition provides dazzling and colourful varieties of Dhokra castings, stone carving, palms leaf engraving and applique works of Orissa, Carpets, Durries, Trubal Jewellery, Lac craft of Bihar, Woolen carpets, Jute crafts of West Bengal, cane and Bamboo, Sitalpatti and Terracotta crafts of North Eastern States, Miniature Paintings, Colourful embroidery shawls , Pearl Jewelry and Crochet lace of Andhra Pradesh, Sandalwood Carving, Wood inlay of Karnataka, Chola Bronze, stone carving and fibre based crafts of Kerala, Zari, Chanderi Sarees, Phulkari, Madhubani Paintings and others.

G V Nayak, Parameshwar and Salauddin were present at the press meet.