Explore home decor at Saras Aajeevika Mela

The Saras Ajeevika Mela is back. With it, returns a vibrant collection of clothes, jewellery, and handicrafts from several Indian states. It started on February 25, 2022, and will go on till March 13, 2022. The fair is organized by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj.

The Saras Ajeevika Mela is just the right place to buy decorative items for your home.

Jyoti Agarwal, from New Delhi, has come here for the first time. On asking her about what she likes the most she says, "I heard about the South Indian spices and I am looking to buy a good stock of these masalas. The handicraft items are also unique and appealing, planning to get them for friends and relatives."

As you explore the fair, you will find many stalls portraying the golden metallic collection of Dhokra art from Chhatisgarh. Sudan Jhara and Urmila Sagar explain, “Dhokra art finds a way of communicating itself, people feel inclined towards these brass and bell metal portraits and showpieces". These products are made of brass and bell metal.”

From Goa, shells and birds' nests are stealing everyone's attention. Samiksha, a women entrepreneur of om sai handicrafts says, “We have our daily ritual of collecting the seashells and placing them in different shapes and sizes and to utilise every single shell into the crafts. Here you can find lots of necklaces, hand bracelets made of seashells, colourful earrings, and nests made with delicate shells."

Sharawat Kumar, Telangana is selling handcrafted home decor made from the Banjara needlework. He says, "Banjara Embroidery and Needleworks are colourful and represent the rural lifestyle of Banjaras with high-spirited styles," When compared to the Banjaras of Telangana, the embroidery done by the Kutch Banjaras and Gujarat Banjaras is different. Sharawat showed us khalchi beads, shells and mirrors are used to make bags, skirts, and wall hangings.

Krishna, from Ambala SHG (SHG stands for self-help group), is selling keyrings range starting from 50 rupees. Nameplates worth 150 to 300 INR. Krishna explains, " These wooden items are made of Malaysian pine wood and Haldu wood, which are cheap and best plus promises for longer life as it is waterproof wood. I use the best quality of acrylic colours which makes it more beautiful."

With Holi just around the corner, Rajendra Lalawat, Rangoli Kala Kendra, Ujjain is selling rangoli art equipment which makes it a very easier experience to draw the intricate designs of the Floor art on any occasion without any hassle. He has Rangoli outliners, stencils, galicha patta, rangleela patta, outliner rollers, pens, rangoli colours etc just to name a few.

Rajasthan's Banswara is a tribal area of Rajsthan that makes the finest wooden furniture and is also the major producer of weapons like bows and arrows. A tribal from Banswara in Rajasthan, Ramlal's stall has been attracting a lot of attention not just for its elaborate presentation of ‘tir (arrow)’ and ‘dhanush (bow)’, but also because it allows everyone to try their hand on teer kamaan. This “bamboo and sheesham” archery equipment costs 1050 INR for a small one and 2250 INR for the big one.

Roopa Singh can be seen bargaining here. In end, she won the game of bargaining. Roopa says, "Every time I visit here, I come across something unique and take it to decorate my home. A little bargaining always helps."

Covid protocols are being followed in the Saras Ajeevika Mela 2022. Wearing a mask is mandatory for everyone. Wearing of mask and social distancing is mandatory for all. Sanitiser machines are placed on regular distances. An ambulance is also on standby for any emergency services.