A woman tastes a plate of biryani at the carnival in Laitumkhrah on Sunday. A Telegraph picture

Shillong, Oct. 25: The Karachi Food Corner, with its tempting spread of special Pakistani chicken biryani, drew more crowds on Sunday afternoon than any other stall at the 4th International Shillong Shopping Carnival at Laitumkhrah.

The Industries and Trade Fair Association of Assam (ITFAA) is organising the carnival, in co-ordination with the development commissioner (handicrafts) central ministry of textiles.

The owner of the Karachi Food Corner, Mohammad Shariff, declined to disclose the secret behind the mouthwatering biryani and said a few choice ingredients, particularly the spices, augmented the taste.

According to Shariff, he sent his cook Mohammad Sagar to Pakistan to learn how to make the special biryani.

Priced at Rs 100 a plate, the biryani continued to attract huge crowds during the pre-winter chill in Shillong.

“Yesterday, the biryani was cleaned up within two hours,” said Rajeev Das, the secretary of the carnival.

“We are ready to pay Rs 100 for each plate”, said Arti Sangma, a customer.

However, the carnival did not lack other attractions.

“For me it is also an opportunity to do some pre-Christmas shopping,” said Sangma.

“Gift items are available in plenty here,” she said.

Sangma and others are spoilt for choice, given the participation of 25 artisans from the Northeast.

Among the artisans is award winning artisan B.R. Mondal from Karbi-Anglong who won a national award for his handicrafts in 2003.

Mondal said the carnival was a big boost to the handicrafts industry. “The sale is good and people throng the stall to see my items,” he said.

A majority of the artisans are from Manipur and they have displayed dolls and shawls, among other things.

Meghalaya artisans have displayed cane and bamboo products.

The stalls put up by traders from Egypt, Bangladesh, Thailand and Pakistan are added attractions. Kamal Anwar came all the way from Egypt to Shillong to participate in the carnival.

Kanwar said the people loved the Egyptian products, which include statues, photo frames and leather bags.

The carnival, which began on October 22, will continue till Friday.