Traders are highlighting various types of Jamdani saris at the ongoing 'Jamdani Fair', which began on the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy premises in Dhaka last Thursday, targeting Eid-ul-Fitr.
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and Shilpakala Academy are jointly organizing the 10-day fair. Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun inaugurated the fair.
Various types of Jamdani saris, including Tersa, Jolpar, Pannahazar, Karola, Dublajal, Saburga, Bolihar, Shaplaful, Angurlota, Mayurpachpar, Baghnali, Kalmilota, Chandrapar and Jhumka are on display in the 25 stalls.
Monia Jamdani House, while selling a diverse range of Jamdani saris, also takes order.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Monia Jamdani House owner Md Monir Hossain said: “Our factory produce all kinds of Jamdani saris. However, there is no demand for expensive saris in the fair.”
He said there was a lack of buyers and visitors in the fair due to minimal publicity regarding the expo.
Tanjiha Jamdani House owner Rakibul Hasan said that since the fair began, they sold only five Jamdani saris.
He, however, hoped that the sale would increase after a few days.
Prices of Jamdani saris on display at the fair ranged from Tk1,500 to Tk1.5 lakh, said Rakibul.
“Every year, I purchase saris from Jamdani fairs. Here the price is reasonable,” said Rokeya Begum, a visitor.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, BSCIC Deputy General Manager (Sales) Jesmin Nahar said the fair aimed to promote the ages-old tradition of Jamdani.
She said the government was working on developing and expanding the Jamdani industry in order to uphold the glory of exquisite saris.
The government also set up an industrial city in Narayanganj to accommodate the Jamdani weavers there, she added.
Jamdani is a traditional fabric of the country and has been recognized as a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Bangladesh by the Department of Patents, Designs and Trademarks (DPDT) in 2016.
Under Narayanganj district, some villages of Rupganj, Siddhiriganj and Sonargaon upazilas have been transformed into Jamdani Pallis.
The fair is open every day from 10:00am to 10:00pm till May 25.
