Eid is round the corner once more and it's time for looking into what's available in the market. Most shops report a brisk sales of Nakshi Kantha apparel and decorative items. With their fine work and bold colours, Nakshi Kantha is the medium of choice for many shoppers. Says Taposh Dutta, stock in charge, Kumudini, "A popular draw for customers is hand stitched and Kantha kurtas. Besides we sell hand-stitched jamdani, muslin and Tangail saris as well as cotton and half silk block printed saris. Also we have scarves, optical cases, jewellery boxes and wooden picture frames."

As Ripon, management trainee at Aarong, points out, "With Nakshi Kantha it is back to the roots for many Bangladeshis. We showcase this craft and embellish it with rural motifs which attract the eye."

Meanwhile at Karupalli, a government-owned organisation, Eid sales are picking up. Among the artistic works that catch the eye are a colourful appliqué bedcover, muslin table cloths and cotton and jamdani saris.

"Quality is our forte," says Abu Yousuf, manager at Banglar Mela. "We use indigenous materials such as handloom," he adds.

And the shopper not only picks up gifts for Eid but also promotes the art and craft of Bangladesh. These retail outlets seek to uplift the socio-economic condition of financially straitened artisan families through training, design and marketing support.

In the process, the traditional works live on. Kumudini reports the revival of handloom, Kantha and natural dyes. Likewise Aarong outlets provide and create jobs to the poor and marginal income groups. Aarong currently provides services to over 30,000 artisans, 85 percent of whom are women.

In an increasingly competitive market, shops such as these have resorted to advertising to promote their colourful and artistic wares. In addition they have to keep ahead of their competitors. Farheen Khurrum, marketing manager, Aarong, points out that the organisation has a team of 30 designers who turn out eye-catching works. In her words, "Aarong is a team effort and we try to keep abreast of international trends when it comes to colours, embellishments and design."

A relatively new development in the market for traditional crafts and other gifts is the advent of online shopping. Yes with a click of a button the buyer can order an array of gifts such as handicrafts and apparel, CDs, VCDs, books, cakes, sweets, chocolates, greeting cards, flowers and fruits. Among the leading names in this sphere are: www.bang ladeshigift. com, www.gifts4bd.com, www.upoharbd.com and www. giftmela.com.

So what's stopping the shopper? Here's a whole lot of products that make great presents. And in the process buyers give a much needed boost to artisans who struggle to keep alive our rich cultural heritage.