Shilpa Kala begins on Wednesday

India-Sri Lanka Shilpa Kala, a five day exhibition-cum-sale of traditional handicrafts and textiles will get underway at the Mihilaka Medura, BMICH, Colombo, at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 23. Scheduled to conclude on March 27 the exhibition is part of Sangam: Festival of India in Sri Lanka 2015-2016.

Shilpa Kala will showcase the best of traditional handicrafts from Sri Lanka and India, and will emphasise the confluence of cultures that underlie the handicrafts traditions in both countries.

Handicrafts from India being showcased include Kashmiri embroidery, Saris, batik, silver and bead jewellery, silver and copperware, papier-mâché, bandhini fabrics, and wood carvings.

There will also be demonstration of bangle making and Indian food stalls. Sri Lankan artistes will display jute, wood and cane work, masks, lace, toys, ceramic and clay articles, embroidery and batik fabrics. Scheduled to be on from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m. each day, the exhibitoin will also included a buyers-sellers meet with Indian artisans on March 24, and a workshop on 'Marketing of Traditional Handicrafts' on March 25. Funded by Investment and Technology Promotion Division of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, other partners of the exhibtion are Dastkari Haat Samiti of India and Hands of Sri Lanka, National Arts and Crafts Foundation of Sri Lanka.