Captivating fare spurs winter rush

Fair extended on popular demand

BRINDA SARKAR

Calcutta, Nov. 27: Scores of craftsmen from the northeastern states are here since last week, selling the best of their handloom and handicraft items at a Crafts Fair. Mekhlas from Assam, artificial flowers from Nagaland, bamboo showpieces from Meghalaya… so successful has been their run that the fair, originally scheduled to end on Sunday, has been extended till December 4. Memory Devi from Manipur believes the early onset of winter has got Calcuttans in the mood for shopping. “I came here in May too but it was so hot that visitors barely came in. I only sold goods worth Rs 4,000 then. This time I’m making Rs 2,000 every day!” Memory’s top-selling mercandise comprises colourful woollen shoes for women and children. Her fancy mosquito nets, however, are not selling. “In Manipur, expensive mosquito nets are a fashionable wedding present, but no one in Calcutta has bought our Rs 2,000 nets.” She is possibly unaware that a far cheaper variety from Bangladesh is readily available here. At the Assam counter, vendor Sandip Pal says the unconventional design of the Assamse japi and Naga spears are drawing curious visitors. “One cannot leave a northeastern fair without buying these two,” he smiles. The japi (hat) costs Rs 150, the two spears Rs 250, but if purchased together, it’s a deal at Rs 380. But not all the stalls are doing brisk business. Rishikant Sharma from Imphal displays beautiful bags and baskets made of Manipuri watergrass but visitors confuse them with cane. “When I tell them it is a kind of grass they refuse to pay Rs 600 for something that grows so abundantly,” he frowns, admitting that he’s selling the bags for Rs 500 just to clear stocks. “Customers aren't this price conscious in Bangalore and Ahmedabad.” Possibly keeping in mind such monetary matters, the fair has been extended. “Customers have requested us to extend the fair beyond their pay day so they can return with heavier pockets,” laughs fair in charge, Mahendra Handique. The fair has been put up by Purbashree Emporium in collaboration with the development commissioner (handicrafts), ministry of textiles, government of India. The artisans, too, are enjoying their stay. Reju Rabha has brought elegant Assam silk saris for customers but is on the lookout for a Bengali kantha-stitch sari for herself. “It's a different story that I don’t know how to wear one,” chuckles the lady who mostly drapes herself in lufuns (skirts) back home. Others like Avole Shohe of Nagaland has discovered just how enticing a Bengali kitchen can be. “I’m gorging on maccher jhol (fish curry) and will be taking a huge handi of rasgullas back home for my daughter,” she smiles.