Why I like going to handicraft and handloom fairs, despite the mind-numbing familiarity of the items on display, is that I always find something unique hidden in plain sight. For example, stop by the ongoing ‘Orissa Crafts Utsav’ at VJT Hall and tucked away in a corner you’ll find one such gem – the stall of ‘Okhai’, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that keeps alive age-old handicrafts and handloom traditions of the country.
The NGO takes its name from the drought-prone Okhamandal region of Gujarat, where there is a rich tradition of handicrafts, the ‘Ohkamandal style’ of mirror work, patchwork and embroidery. “The custom of producing traditional handicrafts for ceremonial functions is widely prevalent amongst the tribes of the region such as the Ahirs, the Rabari, the Charan, and communities such as the Lohana and the Harijan. Tata Chemicals Society for Rural Development plays a pioneering role in promoting this art. With their help we have formed self-help groups in the villages of Okhamandal and the members of these groups are involved in handicrafts production. At present, 450 rural women are part of this programme. They earn an average monthly income of Rs. 500 to 2, 500. The handicrafts are promoted under the brand name Okhai,” says Nusrat Dayamakumar, an official with Okhai. “The handicrafts and handlooms are all vibrant expressions of the tribal way of life, their rituals and their legends,” she adds.
As such Okhai’s stall at the Utsav has an interesting collection of kurtis, dupattas, stoles, home linen, furnishings, bags, and the like. The cotton kurtis (Rs. 200 onwards), in A-line and Anarkali cuts, for instance, come in a variety of shades, prints, and weaves and are available in sizes ranging from XS to XL. But what sets them apart is their embroidery – intricate mirror work and glass work, fine appliqués, sequin details, hand-embroidered motifs and so on, in complementing or contrasting colours.
The same goes for light blue wrap-around skirts, which have appliqué embroidery running their length in a slightly darker shade. Even Okhai’s dupattas (Rs. 200) are different, with their colourful handmade tassels.
Multi-hued totes, potlis, pouches, mobile phone bags, sling bags, folders and the like (priced between Rs. 100 and 500), all made of cloth, have also been jazzed up with either mirror work or embroidery.
Okhamandal style of embroidery is perhaps best evident in the bedspreads, which have either tribal motifs or flowers appliquéd on them. Each bedspread comes with four pillow covers.
The sale is on till July 18, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For more on Okhai and its products check out www.okhai.org
