Traditional hand crafted apparel and accessories, items of home decor and exotic spices from nine countries in South Asia are available under a single roof here at the Lotus Bazaar, a four-day long exhibition.
The bazaar, which seeks to celebrate time-honoured skills of South Asia and empower artisans and performers along with their cooperatives and cultural NGOs, represents shops of 40 design-led initiatives from the region.
Pashtun kurtas and stoles in myriad hues, embroidered with silk along with exquisite mirror work, braid applique and beading are on offer at Sabah Afghanistan's stall.
"This handwork is native of the northern province of Afghanistan and our sisters from that region create these beautiful designs," says Mariam, Director of Sabah Afghanistan.
Sabah Afghanistan is a non-profit organisation which began in 2010 and currently functions with 1600 underprivileged women members, largely widows.
"The produce is sold in local and international market to raise enough revenue to make the lives of these women better," says Mariam said adding that they also have a food processing shoot where pickles, chutneys and dry fruits are manufactured and processed.
Sabah Bhutan's stall features a collection of products, from mufflers, handbags and jackets, made by Bhutanese women working from home from different parts of the country with one of them demonstrating the production of Kira, the traditional dress for Bhutanese women.
"Kiras come in different varieties. While some of them are woven in stripes and check patterns with minimal motifs. Others like Kishuthara Kiras have a highly intricate weave that originates from Khoma village in Eastern Bhutan," says Karma T Dorji, Executive Director, Sabah Bhutan.
"Kiras, which are mostly made of pure silk, are usually priced between USD 1500 to USD 2500. A single piece takes at least a year to be produced," says Dorji.
Native stitches like Rabari, Neran, Ahir, and patchwork from Gujarat have been acknowledged at the festival by SEWA (Self Employed women's Association).
Again an NGO employing home based workers, SEWA has a member-base of 30,000 artisans, according to Manju Chabra, Marketing Manager of Sewa Trade facilitation Centre.
"65 per cent of the profit is given back to these artisans with an objective of strengthening their livelihoods," says Manju.
