What to Buy for my Family at Khadi Utsav 2018?

Hint to what can be found for a family and for a home, showcasing what we bought and what I photographed at Khadi Utsav 2018.

‘What is available for me?’

This is the question everyone has when a textiles exhibition comes to mind. Let’s have a check what people can find at Khadi Utsav 2018.

Kids Wears

Khadi Utsav exhibits most of the traditional outfits for kids of age group from toddlers to teens. A variety of frocks, skirts and blouses are available for girls. Dress materials are available too. Boys collection includes Kurta, Paijama and waist coats. Shirts? I haven’t seen them. But, one can buy materials to make shirts.

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We bought a traditional, long (shown as if it is short in picture) skirt and blouse for Vallabhi. It was a cute pairing of orange brocade blouse with full back opening and orange brocade bordered plain navy blue skirt with hooks fastening. For a mom who knows sewing, INR 450 may seem bit high. But, didn’t I know that sewing small dresses demands more skill and time than the larger ones? (The price is higher in other clothing stores even in small towns like Puttur.)

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I was stun looking at the crochet collection for girls at a stall. I couldn’t resist picking a cute white skirt and blouse with multi coloured highlights, costing just INR 350 for our toddler. The blouse has velcro fastening at front. Skirt is with elasticated waist. The set has white lining. A crocheted dress may take a day to finish and INR 350 is a small amount the maker gets for a day’s work.

I try to limit my purchase for my daughter only because kids grow faster and they can’t wear certain dresses on daily basis just to make paisa vasool. And I already have a pile of dress materials bought to stitch for her.

Women’s Wears

Almost 50 pecent of the exhibits in Khadi Utsav are for ladies only. The long list includes Saris, blouses, Kurtas, Kurtis, dupattas, shawls, patialas, palazzos, shrugs, trendy maxis, dress materials with woven patterns/prints/embroideries, sari skirts and so on…You will be energised looking at the gorgeous sari collection at Khdi Utsav 2018 for all occasions and for all age groups.

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I purchased a multi coloured chiffon dupatta with Shisha (mirror) work from Gujarat at INR 350. Silk dupattas are available from INR 850 onwards.

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I bought two Kurtas in raw silk with brocade yokes and brocade embellishments at sleeves and front hemline. Price is INR 550 each.

Now you might ask, being a fashion enthusiast and Khadi lover/promoter why I purchased less? I had three reasons. First one – I was focused to capturing as it is an education site for me and it is the way I can make them reach you. Second one – I don’t go with ‘Go and Buy’ mood because, I will be confused what to leave there and I am not a millionaire. Instead, I go with ‘Learning’ and ‘Window Shopping’ mood, I bring home only that steals my heart in spite of my resistance to buying. I had my eyes on the woven, embroidered and printed/painted traditional textiles. But, I have already made planning to buy them in Khadi Utsav 2019 as I really doubt managing time to stitch this year.

Men’s Wears

We noticed an increase in number of stalls with pretty good collections for men. Long and short Kurtas, dhotis, paijamas, vests, shirts are available in both casual and function wear varieties.

My husband is a software engineer by profession and a Yakshagana artist by passion. He plays Chende and Maddale as a hobby artist in Yakshagana programs at weekends. We found fresh coloured Kurtas that can be used as office wears and traditional wear as well.

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We spotted stylish Patan Kurtas in cotton at Bihari stall. The Kurtas are lively with double collars, long sleeves and shaped bottom hems. Button embellishing gives a rich look to the Kurtas. Venu can wear them to Yakshagana programs with dhoti and even to office on Fridays, with jeans. The price is INR 500. Then we picked a magenta coloured short Kurta for INR 350. This is a cotton Kurta with long sleeves. There were long sleeved long Kurtas with side pockets in rich texture. We bought them at INR 500. 

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The shirts are well displayed this time. Short or long sleeved styles, trendy printed styles are the attraction of this Khadi Utsav. Kurtas dyed with natural colours are available as well.

Accessories

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This time, I saw more hand kerchief varieties, bath towels and fabric bags in display. Faux leather bags, foot wears, bangles, fashion jewellery are also kept on sale.

Home Furnishings

Beautiful handloom bedspreads, pillowcases, Jamkhanas, Rajais (quilts), Yoga mats, table linens, curtains, floor mats, grass floor mats, hand made show pieces, earthern wears, wooden Chennapatna toys, etc are on sale in Khadi Utsav 2018.

Please Note:

1. If you are new to the concept of Khadi Utsav, venue, arrangements, etc., you may read my reveiw of Khadi Utsav 2017, and review of Khadi Utsav 2018.
2. Prices may vary according to stock. Not to forget, sellers pay a month’s rent of minimum INR 25,000 for a small stall to the organisers i.e., Khadi and Village Commission. Please don’t bargain. We don’t bargain at a branded store, do we?

So, when are you planning to visit Khadi Utsav 2018?