Five-day Indo-Lanka “Shilpa Kala” starts at BMICH today

As a part of Sangam: Festival of India in Sri Lanka, an exhibition of Traditional Handicrafts and Textiles entitled India-Sri Lanka “Shilpa Kala” is being organised by the High Commission of India, Colombo in collaboration with the Investment and Technology Promotion Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India from 23 - 27, March, 2016 at Mihilaka Medura, BMICH, Colombo from 10.00 a.m. to 7.00 p.m.. 

The exhibition India-Sri Lanka “Shilpa Kala” will be inaugurated by the State Minister of International Trade Sujeewa Senasinghe and High Commissioner of India, Y.K. Sinha on Wednesday, 23 March, 2016 at Mihilaka Medura, BMICH, Colombo at 11.00 a.m.

Other events during the Exhibition include, a buyers-sellers meet with Indian artisans on 24 March, and a workshop on “Marketing of Traditional Handicrafts” on 25 March.

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

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 be demonstration of bangle making. Henna artists will be available to apply henna.

Sri Lankan artists will display jute, wood and cane work, masks, lace, toys, ceramic and clay articles, embroidery and batik fabrics. 

There will also be Indian food stalls.

The Exhibition is being funded by Investment and Technology Promotion Division of Ministry of External Affairs of India. Other partners are Dastkari Haat Samiti of India and Hands of Sri Lanka, National Arts and Crafts Foundation of Sri Lanka.