Bidri is a unique metal technique found in India.It originated way back in the 14th century in karnataka.
It is a form of encrusted metalware were one metal is inlayed into another.The main essence of bidriware is it's striking contrast of colors with glossy silver inlay set off by black matt metal.The term bidriware comes from the place where it originated which is bidar.Even now bidar is the headquarters for manufacture  of this unique metalware.Bidriware is an important export handicraft of india and is prized as a symbol of wealth.The bidri designs are usually patterns such as the ashraf ki booti stars,vine creeprs and stylized poppy plants with flowers.Traditional designs include Persian roses and passages from the quran in arabic script.While Bidar in Karnataka and Hyderabad are the most vibrant centers,this art is also practised  in other parts of India such as purnia in Bihar,Lucknow in UP and Murshidabad in West Bengal.GMR'S e-commerce website Empowershop which works for the uplifment  of underprivileged women sells a wide range of  beautiful bidri products.The money earned from it is wisely spent on various social welfare activities

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Jute Bags

Jute products have gained a lot of popularity lately,if you go by its history for centuries jute has been integral part of the bengal culture,in the entire southwesr of bangladesh and some portions of west bengal. During 

the British rule raw jute was carried out  to United Kingdom. Traditionally jute was used in traditional textile machineries as textile fibres having cellulose (vegetable fibre content) and lignin (wood fibre content). But, the major breakthrough came when the automobile, pulp and paper, and the furniture and bedding industries started to use jute and its allied fibres with their non-woven and composite technology to manufacture nonwovens.

But now Jute products have become very popular among ladies hand bags.Not only do they look good but they are also very durable and eco friendly.Because of this a lot of jute products have come into the market with various trendy designs to attract women especially youngsters.Because of the increase in awareness and inportance for eco friendly products jute product's value has been growing.GMR varlakshmi foundation believes in going green and hence promotes eco friendly products.Therefore in the empowershop website a wide range of beautiful jute bags are available.Apart from being   eco friendly these bags are made by underprivileged women creating employment at the GMR Varalakshmi Foundation's vocational trainig center. To purchase similar and many more exciting jute  products,cotton products,kondapalli toys,etikopakka toys, please visit www.empowershop.org

Etikopakka Toys

Etikopakka Toys originated from a small village called Etikopakka in Vishakapatnam District.Etikopakka is famous for its age old tradition  for wood carvings and toys.They are very popular for the mythological figures and carvings that are created to resemble shapes that were excavated at sites of mohinjadaro and harappa.Special dyes and processes were used to enhance the quality and appeal of these items.These Etikopakka products included candle stands that were imported to germany back in the day.Softwood trees acted as a base for these lacqueware products.Women and children pick up the wood and leave it to dry in the courtyards.These designs were so beautiful that they became very popular gifting items .

Though lately many people have forgotten about these Etikopakka Toys,empowrshop of GMR Varalakshmi 

foundation is doing its part by promoting and selling these products in order to generate livelihood for the craftsmen of the etikopakka vilage.Many Etikopakka products can be found and purchased on the empowershop e-commerce site www.empowershop.org

 www.empowershop.org