New Delhi, Dec 3 (IANS): If you are fond of art work and handicrafts, the Dilli Haat is the place to visit these days. The village craftsmen's mart is hosting a 15-day exhibition-cum-sale of products created by some of India's finest artisans.

The "Master Creation Programme 2011" at Dilli Haat near INA Market in south Delhi is on till Dec 15.

The exhibition was inaugrated by Minister of State for Textiles Panabaka Lakshmi and Minister of Commerce and Industry Anand Sharma Friday.

"This event should be a great platform for the artisans and weavers to display our art and culture globally," Lakshmi told IANS.

Plenty of artisans who have won National Awards for their work have set up stalls at the place. While saris, shawls, stoles, salwar-kameez and bedsheets dominate, one can also find items like rugs, stone and metal carvings and other crafts.

"I have come to India several times and make sure to come for the exhibition here at Dilli Haat, as I love the Indian culture and the exquisite art that is displayed in this fest," Joe Daniel, a French national, told IANS.

Another tourist said: "I love the Kashmiri paper-mache work and make it a point to come here and buy the bangles and pashmina shawls."

Artisans too look forward to participating in the event.

"I have been doing this for the past 35 years. This exhibition is the main focus every year for us. We come from our native place to exhibit our art and culture. We exhibit our goods abroad also, in Mexico and Germany," National Award winning handloom artisan Narottam Ram, from Himachal Pradesh, told IANS.

The event seeks to provide a platform where reputed designers, exporters and bulk buyers can interact and do business.

"The event is a boost for the artisans to demonstrate their work and an opportunity for them to interact with suitable buyers who will outsource their products," a senior official of the textile ministry told IANS.