Mysuru: With just a day to go for Diwali over 10,000 artistically designed lamps are proving a huge attraction at the Deepa Saundarya expo organised by Ramsons Kala Prathishtana at Nazarbad in the city.
Ranging from two inches to seven feet in height, the lamps have been designed by over 200 artistes from Karnataka, Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, according to Mr Raghu Dharmendra of Ramsons Kala Prathishtanan. Carved out of clay, glass, white metal, copper, terracota, ceramic, brass and more, they are in a variety of shapes, including Ganesha, peacock, elephants, swans and even smiley faces.
Besides the hanging lamps, lanterns, magic lamps, tea light holders, and wall hanging tea lights, there are traditional brass lamps in various shapes including Deepalakshmi, vruksha deepa, pakshi deepa, ashta lakshmi, dashavathaara, lakshmi, and Ganesha.
"It is a pleasure to see so many varieties of lamps in one place," exulted Ms Geetha Prasad from VV Mohalla, who had come to visit the expo. “Although several varieties of LED lights have entered the markets, NRIs and youngsters are still drawn to traditional lamps,” noted Mr Jagadeesh Prasad of Ramsons Kala Prathishtana, who has on display unblazed terracota cookware, which can be used on gas stoves and in microwaves, and tableware to lend a traditional touch to the festival.
A variety of hangings and rangoli designs blend with the lamps to add colour to the display, attracting huge crowds.
