Small entrepreneurs connect with consumers at IITF

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SME Times News Bureau | 27 Nov, 2013
Urgain Negi and Shakuntala Negi, a couple from Shimla, are old time participants at the trade fair at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi - selling their decorative items and other knick knacks every year for the past 15 years.

Like the Negis, there are many other small entrepreneurs who look forward to the India International Trade Fair to sell their wares to the thronging crowds who visit the fortnight-long fair at the Pragati Maidan.

There is a couple from Madhya Pradesh, a sister duo from Meghalaya and three friends from Noida -- all of who find the trade fair a great platform for branding themselves.

"I have been making these decorative articles and ear rings for the last several years, and visiting the fair for the 15 years now. The trade fair has never disappointed us and our business," Urgain Negi, in his 60s, said at the Himachal Pradesh pavilion where they have a stall.

Carved wood artefacts in the shape of a wall clock, pen stand, decorative elephants, wall hangings as well as hand crafted stone and polished metal artefacts at the Negi stall fetches many visitors. The couple claim their eyesight has weakened due to this work.

"Each of the metal decorative pieces has to be painted individually and then assembled. To complete one decorative article it takes us almost one week," said Negi as he shows off a golden-colour plated elephant.

The intricately-designed articles are quite affordably-priced, attracting a lot of customers. The ear rings made of colourful buttons and pearls are sold for Rs.10 a pair, while the decorative articles begin from Rs.200 onwards. The most expensive article was a wall clock that costs Rs.1,600.

Like the Negi couple, there is another artist couple at the Madhya Pradesh pavilion who are selling beautiful paintings on nature and tribal motifs.

Santosh Tekam, an artist from Bhopal, said he looks forward to coming to the International Trade Fair as he gets to meet so many people. Tekam and his wife Choti Tekam have been tasked to make their paintings of nature and tribal gods on the walls of Krishshi Bhavan here.

"I have been painting for the past 13 years. This is the third year at the fair and we are also now known to people outside our city," Tekam, in his late 40s, said.

Their "Tree of Life" paintings represent the different facets of life through nature and also their tribal deities. An A4 size canvas costs about Rs.300 and the big ones can go up to Rs.4,000.

Kriya Rynjah and Leony Rynjah, sisters from Shillong at the Meghalaya pavilion, make articles from bamboo and organic loofah derived from the dried gourd vegetable. They are just two-years old in the business and felt it was important to have close interaction with the consumers though they also have presence online.

"Though we sell our articles on itokri.com and greenthegap.com, such fairs give us an opportunity to get direct feedback from the people and importantly make ourselves known," Kriya Rynjah, of Megha Dream and the designer for the bamboo articles, said.

The products from the two sisters are 100 percent organic, with no varnish and made only using mineral oils. They have coasters, table lamps, wall hangings made from organic loofah, while in the bamboo articles they have cake knife, salad spoons and dangles for Christmas trees.

"As our articles are organic and requires a lot of effort so it is a little expensive. The minimum price of an article is Rs.350 and it goes up to Rs.2,500," said Leony Rynja, the other sister who works with the gourd loofahs.

For three friends from Noida who have started the 'Kavi poetry art project', the art fair has helped them in branding.

"Though the trade fair has not helped much with the sale of the articles, but yes, it has definitely helped in branding ourselves and being known to the people," Madhuri Balodi, the co-founder of Kavi, said.

Kavi the store has quirky, customized gifting options that are all eco-friendly and completely hand-crafted. There are different varieties of lamps, key hangers made from recycled wine and beer bottles, craft clocks, wall-art, bags, cushion covers and much more.

"We started Kavi last year in August with the simple thought that something as beautiful as poetry deserves to be seen, read and realized more in our day-to-day lives. So, we decided to bring poems into our living spaces," said Balodi.

The 33rd India International Trade Fair is being held at Pragati Maidan in New Delhi.