Cane, bamboo furniture catch fancy of many at NE handicraft expo

Avneet Kaur

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Jalandhar, March 26

Designer furniture from Assam made of cane and bamboo has been catching residents’ fancy at an exhibition-cum-sale of the North Eastern handicraft at Desh Bhagat Yadgaar Hall here.

Artisans and craftsmen from eight states — Arunachal, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur, Meghalaya, Sikkim and West Bengal — have come to display and sell their age-old handmade craft items that are mostly environment-friendly.

Besides, several traditional items, including decoration articles, garments and jewellery have been exhibited by the artisans representing the North East Handicraft and Handloom Development Corporation (NEHHDC).

Bipin Dutta, a furniture maker from Assam, said: “We are into this tradition of making furniture from cane and bamboo since ages. My family has been into it for the past many years. Every year we organise this exhibition in different states to make our handicraft material popular among all as they are environment- friendly and equally attractive as compared to any other showpiece available in market.”

Talking about the cane furniture, craftsman Bipin said: “It combines simplicity and comfort, with high aesthetic appeal. Since cane or bamboo is of a strong, yet bendable, nature, it becomes ideal for making furniture. The origin of the cane furniture can be traced back to as early as the 2nd Century AD.”

Today, bamboo was used in almost every type of furniture as it is environment-friendly, items such as chairs, tables, sofas, stools, shoe racks, bookshelves, cabinets, beds, couches and recliners were made from cane and bamboo. The furniture was available starting from Rs 6,500 to Rs 50,000 suiting almost every budget, he added.

Kavita Biswas, a trader in handmade hats and showpiece from Meghalaya, said she had been making jewellery, hats and other items since the past 10 years. She said she first learnt this art at the age of eight from her grandmother.

“Through this exhibhition we aim to boost marketing of our products. This is the second time I have come in Punjab. The sale was good last year. However, this time we are not receiving much response,” she rued.

Meanwhile, the exhibition, which started on March 22, has been showcasing traditional goods of the North East and has on display everything from clothes, jewellery to handicraft as well handloom and furniture. Even the craftsmen are taking orders and preparing personalised items for customers as per their choice and design. With over 15 stalls on display, the exhibition will go on till March 31.