Culture & craft cocktail

Dhamsa players of Midnapore beat their drums at the opening ceremony of Karigar Haat on Monday. Picture by Bishwarup Dutta

The gates to Karigar Haat were opened on the Salt Lake stadium grounds on Monday but there was ample confusion among visitors. “The hoardings said it would open on January 5. I came after two days hoping all the stalls would have opened but they’re still unpacking,” said Gunjan Chiripal of Kankurgachhi. Then again there were those who walked in mistaking the event for the Indian Science Congress, that was also taking place at the stadium.

The confusion was triggered by the official opening which took place not at the venue but at ICCR in Ho Chi Minh Sarani on January 5.

Karigar Haat started on January 7 and will continue till January 16 at the stadium’s rose garden. It is open from noon to 8pm and entry is free.

The fair has brought its share of handicraft, sari and jewellery stalls. “Since this year the winter is colder than usual, I’ve got many more silk and tussar saris than cotton ones,” says Nabanita Dutta from Lake Town. There are other stalls from around the state that have got kantha, tant and batik saris.

Amina Begum, an artisan from Andhra Pradesh, has brought crochet shawls, children’s frocks, bedsheets and even little coasters. “I have items ranging from Rs 5 to 2,000. This is my first fair in Calcutta and I’ve brought my best stuff.”

Craftsmen from Andhra Pradesh have also brought leather puppets that form the motif on lampshades, wall hangings and wind chimes. “A string can be attached to these two-dimensional puppets and hung above doors and windows like chimes,” says S. Srinivas.

If you still haven’t got a calendar for the new year you can also pick up table calendars at the fair, dolled up with terracotta Ganeshas. There are jute bags from Calcutta, artificial flowers from Barasat, wooden furniture from Saharanpur and junk jewellery from Rajasthan. “When I came to this fair last year my payals had sold out,” says Mamraj Banjara, showing Rs 50 blue beaded payals. “I’ve got more of them this time along with new designs of chandelier earrings and bracelets made of cloth and colourful strings.”

The crystal showpiece makers from UP have many a cute Ganesha on their shelves. The four inch-high, double-faced idols are much in demand, and cost Rs 300. They have crystal showpieces of birds, animals and even of people smoking hookah. “Last year I bought cushion covers and candle stands from this fair. I’ll wait for all the stalls to open and return,” said Chiripal, who along with her son, bought a crystal Ganesha for their house on Monday afternoon.

There are also cultural programmes taking place every evening, by artistes from across the world.