Maharashtra’s Traditional Paithani Sarees Doing Rounds at SARAS

March 27:  ‘A poem in Silk And Gold’ is how one describes about the Royale traditional Paithani Saree of Maharashtra.  The saree which ages from Centuries, strongly endorsed by Queen Nilofer, the daughter-in-law of the then Nizam of Hyderabad, is doing rounds at SARAS- Aajeevika Mela 2018 at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.

In a visit to this Mela on Tuesday, the rich, elegant Paithani Sarees were the centre of attraction.  Since, this is a hand woven saree, hence slightly costly, but, the Paithani stall at Hall No. 7 was inviting tremendous response.  The stall owner, Shri Giram from Paithan was happy while sharing this response with the officers of Maharashtra Information Centre.  Contented with his sales on the fifth day of the Mela, he said that he has also received customized orders.

The programme, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) is one of the flagship programmes of the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India to alleviate rural poverty. The programme aims to organize the rural poor women into their own institutions like Self Help Groups and their federations, Producers’ Collectives etc. and also ensure their financial inclusion and livelihoods support. The SARAS – Aajeevika Mela is one such platform, it has offered to rural artisans.

Maharashtra’s 14 Self Help Groups (SHGs) have participated in this Mela through Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission (MSRLM).  A wide range of products havebeen put on display-cum-sale at this mela.  Three stalls from Gondia, two each from Ratnagiri and Aurangabad, one each from Yavatmal, Kolhapur, Chandrapur, Nashik, Aurangabad, Wardha and Gadchiroli.

A variety of products have been put up for display-cum-sale.  Gonida’s Bamboo handicrafts, Gondia’s ‘Bhatki’ Adivasi paintings, Ratnagiri’s Cashews and imitation stone jewellery, Nashik’s raisins, neem oil, Yavatmal’s dried mushroom (Dingri) and mushroom powder, kolhapuri chappals, rangoli making devices, cowtherapy soaps and agarbattis, Gondia’s wooden showpieces are intricately decorated and catching the eye of the visitors.