The beauty of Indian
handicrafts is legendary. Tradition continues to
live in the creative imagination and amazing skills
of our village artisans. Government emporia across
the country have contributed greatly in helping
preserve our rich cultural heritage and keeping
the artisans' skill alive. Most of Pune's emporia
are privately owned enterprises. The city has only
two state emporia. However, exhibitions held throughout
the year by different state emporia provide ample
opportunity for citizens to catch a glimpse of the
handicrafts and textiles available across the country.
UTKALIKA
The city branch of the Orissa State
Co-operative Handicrafts Corporation Limited was
set up in 1994. Besides its exotic temples, Orissa
is also well known for decorative and utilitarian
arts and crafts. The compact two-storied emporium
has proudly displayed the entire range in neat sections.
The ground floor is reserved for textiles. Here
you can find stacks of striking Sambalpur and
Tussar silk sarees, cotton sarees, vibrant
Ikkat dress materials, dupattas and even bed
and cushion covers. The section above
has an impressive range of handicrafts. There are
statues in wood, stone and bronze. Besides
the 'Pata Chitras' (canvas pictures) that
make lovely wall hangings, papier mache toys and
masks, there are quaint yet utilitarian lac boxes
to store jewellery and other knic-knacs, wood carvings,
table mats made from 'Kaincha' (Golden grass), silver
filigreearticles, and a host of other charming
and attractive artifacts.
Address: Utkalika, Orissa State Emporium, Sai
Complex,
Off Fergusson College Road, Shivajinagar, Pune 411
004
Phone: 567 1046
MRIGANAYNEE
The Madhya Pradesh Hastashilp
Vikas Nigam Ltd was set up by the Government
of Madhya Pradesh as a corporation in 1981. The
objective of the MPHVN is to motivate craftsmen,
impart training for skill upgradation and revive
dwindling crafts. The corporation is also actively
involved in marketing the products from across
the state through a chain of emporia all over the
country under the name "Mriganaynee".
The Pune showroom manages to use up every inch of
space in the tiny showroom. Maheshwari and Chanderi
sarees in cotton and silk are available here. One
can find a fairly wide range of Ujjain's famous
Batik printed items such as sarees, scarfs,
dress material, cushion covers, etc. Space constraints
have restricted the display to mainly textiles.
Address: Mrignaynee, Shop no 65B, Clover
Centre,
Moledina Road, Pune 411 001, Phone: 613 2139
Orissa
is also well known for decorative and utilitarian
arts and crafts. The compact two-storied emporium
has proudly displayed the entire range in neat sections.
The ground floor is reserved for textiles. Here
you can find stacks of striking Sambalpur and
Tussar silk sarees, cotton sarees, vibrant
Ikkat dress materials, dupattas and even bed
across
the state through a chain of emporia all over the
country under the name "Mriganaynee".
The Pune showroom manages to use up every inch of
space in the tiny showroom. Maheshwari and Chanderi
sarees in cotton and silk are available here. One
can find a fairly wide range of Ujjain's famous
Batik printed items such as sarees, scarfs,
dress material, cushion covers, etc. Space constraints
have restricted the display to mainly textiles.
