Patna, March 12: You may want to watch out for Motu Patlu, Chota Bheem and Mickey Mouse on the streets this Holi, because they came in the guise of pichkaris and sold like hot cakes on Saturday - two days ahead of the festival of colours.
Apart from popular cartoon characters, pink-coloured Barbie water guns and tank-shaped pichkaris were also among the favourites picked out by Holi revellers.
Mohammad Munavvar Faiz, who sells water guns in the New Market area, said: " Pichkaris in the shape of Motu Patlu, priced at Rs 140 each, are the most popular. I have sold over 100 pieces in the past two days. I've also sold more than 50 pieces of Chota Bheem and Mickey Mouse pichkaris. The Chota Bheem pichkari is available at Rs 70 and the Mickey Mouse one at Rs 450."
Faiz sells fruits all year round but opens a makeshift water gun stall around this time for some extra income. "I had bought stock worth Rs 50,000. I've already sold 70 per cent of my products. I hope to sell the remaining by tomorrow," he said.
Raj Kumar, who is Faiz's neighbour and competitor in the sale of pichkaris, said: "This year's new entrant is the air pump pichkari. You can spray water from a distance of 10m with this. Priced at Rs 80, I've already sold over 50 pieces." One of the more interesting toys available for Holi revelry however, is the pickhari with a hat. "This is available at Rs 90, and the hat is attached to a small-sized box. When one presses the button on the box, water oozes out from a hole in the hat. So far I have sold 60 pieces of it," added Raj.
Vansh Singh, a 10-year-old pichkari enthusiast, was buying his weapon of choice with his father, Animesh Singh. Vansh said: "I have decided to survey all stalls in the market before deciding which pichkari to buy. I want the best and my dad had promised to get me one before my school closed." Vansh went home happily with a Chota Bheem pichkari after a half-an-hour's quest at New Market.
The Churi Market shops were also flooded with Holi revellers on Saturday. Customers were found buying pichkaris and fun accessories like wigs and masks. Ananya, a 13-year-old, bought a wig and mask. "I will wear these for Holi so I can take pictures with my friend. It will be a lot of fun."
Vijay, another shop owner, said: "While wigs in various colours are priced between Rs 150 and Rs 250, the masks are available for anything between Rs 200 and Rs 450." He added that he has already sold 30 wigs and 60 masks in the last three days.
