The Union Ministry of Textiles in association with the Silk Mark Organisation of India (SMoI) and Madhya Pradesh Silk Federation has organized exhibition, an attempt to raise awareness among the customers about genuine silk products. The Prakrit Saree Expo started on Thursday at the Hotel Mayfair here and will continue till January 13.

Abstract block prints, tribal prints and Kantha stitches are popular among the customers this year while Balcuhari and Pochampalli are also available. A wide range of items made from silk like sarees, suits, quilted jackets, home furnishing and bags woven in different styles and patterns are being displayed at the expo.

According to the organisers of the expo, impure silk sold in the market not only deceives the customers but also deprives the weavers and silk-growers from sustaining their unique silk handloom. Not many customers can differentiate between genuine silk and silk mixed with rayon. They pay the price of original silk and take home a fake product.

Among the various types of silks that weavers from different states have showcased at the event are Tussar, Moga, Eri, Gheecha and Murshidabad. Some special varieties like Nokshi Kantha fabric from Bengal, Bania silk from Bangalore, Chanon from Kashmir are finding many takers.

MP Silk Federation Rakesh Kumar Srivastava, General Manager said that the exhibition is organised every year in different parts of the country with an objective to provide market links to the financially weak silk weavers working with the federation.

The silk on display in the exhibition are natural and pure and woven exclusively in handloom. And the best part is that the materials used in printing and finishing are eco-friendly and colours used for dying and printing are natural/vegetable.

Silk in its different varieties and form is attracting buyers at the exhibition.