Ensembles from Love by Kaveri and Sriparna Ray’s Bhomra Design Co
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
A sense of déjà vu tends to set in when pop-up exhibitions crop up every other week at cultural spaces and stores across Hyderabad. To stand out, a curation must offer products that are not easily found online or in local markets. That is where Baro Market comes in. The Mumbai-based marketplace for arts and crafts, founded by Srila Chatterjee, is known for its thoughtful and context-specific pop-ups. From June 5 to 7, Baro Market returns to the Crafts Council of Telangana (CCT) in Banjara Hills with a curated exhibition of weaves, crafts and artisanal design.
“We work with close to 78 labels, but for Hyderabad, we are bringing just 27,” says Srila. “There is a lot of thought behind what we choose. We avoid crafts from Telangana and Andhra Pradesh — those are already well-known here. Instead, we want to offer something new.”
Expect to discover functional ceramics, jewellery, accessories, and clothing for men, women and children. Bengal, the North East and the Coromandel coast are well represented. Kolkata-based designer Sriparna Ray of Bhomra Design Co brings contemporary takes on traditional taant (a handloom technique that results in fine, lightweight fabric) and other weaves often associated with saris. From Assam, The Nomi – Weavers Nest, founded by Sushant Phukan, presents a North Eastern fashion perspective. Love by Kaveri, helmed by Kaveri Lalchand, draws inspiration from life along the Coromandel coast in her modern linen offerings.
This will be Baro Market’s second pop-up at CCT Spaces. This time, jewellery promises to be a draw. But even here, the intention is to avoid repetition. Each label brings its own lens: Razia Kung’s statement pieces, influenced by Indian folk and tribal forms like Gond and Theyyam; Red Bus Design Co’s handmade textile jewellery and resin works; Moirra’s fabric accessories; and Vrinda Gokhale Philip’s recycled paper jewellery.
The Bindi Project
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement
At the pop-up, keep an eye out for native foods too. Shillar House from Himachal Pradesh brings to Hyderabad a seasonal bounty — think pickles, pulses, spices, dried fruits, honey and ghee. “Everything is organic, though they do not make a fuss about it,” Srila explains.
Another standout addition is The Bindi Project, where the iconic embellished dot becomes a canvas for storytelling. Originally inspired by Rajasthan’s heritage gold bindis, each new collection spins its own narrative. “I think I have worn more of Meghna’s bindis than anyone else on the planet,” laughs Srila, “and there are plenty of takers for them.”
(Baro Market’s exhibition will be at CCT Spaces, Crafts Council of Telangana, Banjara Hills, from June 5 to 7. Entry free)
Published – June 04, 2025 03:18 pm IST