Indian shopping fest dazzles

The Festival of Lights is approaching and it's time to grab some bargains. Why not check out the Singapore International Indian Shopping Festival (SIISFest) at Suntec City Convention Centre's Halls 401 and 402?

You'll be spoilt for choice with about 200 stalls selling jewellery, handicrafts, colourful saris, paintings and carpets.

The shopping festival, which was inaugurated by Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong on Oct 2 and lasts till Oct 5, is organised by tabla!, Tamil Murasu and de ideaz.

The eye-catching Rajasthani Village is on your right as you enter. Inside, you'll find clothes, shoes, jewellery and other items from the desert state.

You can also watch Indian craftsmen at work. Like stone-carver Hara Prasad Moharana from Odisha. Other craftsmen displayed their cane and bamboo handiwork, palm-leaf engraving and Aepan crafts.

Look out for the Prima Art booth. Its artwork is fashioned out of 24K gold sheets and depicts various gods and goddesses.

There are also competitions you can take part in. These should interest the women and children, such as a sari draping competition and Spell-O-Well.

To satisfy your hunger pangs while you shop, stop by The Banana Leaf Apolo stall, which offers both vegetarian and non-vegetarian food options.

So what are you waiting for? Head down to the SIISFest now.

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