Patna Haat - The Art Village, comprising 50 stalls selling handicraft and handloom products, was on Thursday inaugurated and opened for the public at Gandhi Maidan as part of efforts by the Sri Krishna Smarak Vikas Samiti to develop the iconic ground as a city square.

In the past two years Gandhi Maidan, once considered the lungs of the city and an unspoilt verdant stretch, has gone through several changes like coming up of open gyms for men and women, karate and yoga stage, and installation of high-power lights.

'We have created Patna Haat on the pattern of Dilli Haat (in the national capital) and it is a unique gift to the residents of Patna,' said Patna Divisional Commissioner Anand Kishor. 'It would be an ideal place for the people of Patna to enjoy along with their family members. The Patna Haat is an initiative to develop the place as a city square where all things related to entertainment are available under one roof.'

Kishor heads the Samiti, which has been entrusted the responsibility for management of the 62-acre Gandhi Maidan, and the SK Memorial Hall. A month ago, a food court spread over 3,600sqft was opened at the eastern part the Maidan in front of Udyog Bhavan.The Patna Haat shops are canopy stalls, which can be dismantled anytime for public functions and rallies. The stalls will mostly sell products developed by Bihari artisans, although stalls selling handicraft and handloom products from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh are also there. National Institute of Fashion Technology, Patna, also has a stall. Products available at the Haat include Madhubani paintings, Khatwa appliqué work, Bhagalpuri silk, Sikki craft, Tikuli painting, stone-craft, bamboo-craft, Manjusha paintings, jute products, woodcraft, terracotta products, bangles, brass items, and Sujni embroidery.

Usha Jha, owner of Petals Crafts, also has a stall of Madhubani painting. Petals Crafts has represented India at an 'India Show' in St Petersburg, Russia, in 2009 and the 'World Indian Festival' in Singapore in 2014. Jha also gives Madhubani painting training to women in Araria, Madhuban and Madhepura.

The Haat stretches from gate number 7 up to the women's gym in the ground.

'Through this Patna Haat we will be able to promote the art of Bihar,' Kishor said, adding that from now onwards Gandhi Maidan would be developed as a place of family outing. The Patna Haat has been developed by a private agency, Mahabodhi, which has spent Rs 35 lakh on the stalls.

'To buy handicraft and handloom products I used to wait for fairs on special occasions,' said Mrinal Pandey, a resident of Exhibition Road. 'Now, with the opening of the stalls in the ground I can purchase these items anytime. It is a very good step by the district administration and more such things should come up.'

Cultural programmes will also start at Gandhi Maidan every weekend from October 7. There would be a movable stage with sound system.