Sasha’s Annual Fair Trade Fair took place at the Ice Skating Rink this winter. Teeming with skilled artisans belonging to various parts of the country, the exhibition was as spectacular as that of the previous year.
A whole range of lifestyle products such as handicrafts, handloom fabric, clothing, jewelry, utensils, home décor as well as body care items were made available to the vast public that attended.
Mukul Joshi from Rajasthan displayed his breathtaking and intricate brushwork paintings with utmost pride, while ‘Deshaj’ exposed everyone to their trendy ethnic wear and accessories. ‘Shunya’ from Mednipur showed off some gorgeous silk creations such as Batik printed saris, shawls and dupattas, all tantalizingly soft to the touch, owing to their remarkable quality. ‘Kashmiri Arts’ had on sale delectable summer shawls of soft wool, as well as coveted pashmina pieces, delightfully inexpensive in spite of their fame. ‘Ashram Chanderi’ had attractive saris, as did ‘Entally Sasha Artists Association’. ‘Mesh’ from Delhi presented some fascinating handicrafts, aprons and handmade toys, crafted from several fabrics. Cooch Bihar’s ‘Anandhara’ contained some charmingly rustic bags while ‘Anwesha Tribal Arts and Crafts’ showcased some mesmerizing brass figurines and tribal craftwork.
The Sasha Store in itself had a large stall, full of interesting items such as Kilmora toys and stoles, as well as leather purses and bags − products of other artisans who were unable to attend the fair in person. Sasha’s own products, such as their excellent and economical organic body care products were up for grabs too. There were several other stalls with items such as rugs, carpets and silver jewelry too, scattered across the large hall.
The fair was a tremendous success, as one would expect. It was also a rather personal affair as every buyer could communicate with the creator of the products and ascertain the true worth of their purchase. The opportunity was equally beneficial and illuminating for the artisan as well as the customer.