Ultarath may be over but a Rather mela is anchored at Central Park fairgrounds till August 10. Organised by Bidhannagar Shree Chaitanya Bhagavat Samaj, the fair has stalls selling everything from saris and junk jewellery to furniture and plants. There are several food stalls and a children’s play area with rides. The fair is open from 2pm to 10pm and entry is free. 
Here are some interesting items up for sale at the fair —

Nagras 
At: Sumi’s Boutique; stall A-13 
Price: Rs 250  

This stall from Punjab has brought their traditional Nagra footwear for women. The shoes are hand-stitched and most of them are black with detailed needlework in gold, silver and other colours. “This is our first time at this fair and we’re getting good response. We’ve already sold more than 100 pairs,” said vendor Sumit Chael. Besides being ideal to wear at traditional dos, he claims the Nagras are washable and hence will survive if worn in the monsoons. 

Showpieces of dried trees 
At: Ikebana; stall A-35
Price: Rs 100 to 3,000

Every item at this stall is a treat to the eyes and one is surprised to learn that all the lamp shades and decoration pieces there are made of dried parts of trees. 

“This 3-ft miniature tree has a stem of the bontulsi plant (picture above). A dried tal leaf has been spread out like a crown at the back and the white leaves are from the Ashwatha tree,” says Subrata Maity, the craftsman behind the works. The leaves look dainty but he says they won’t tear. There are also dried jarul fruits stuck to the branches and artificial birds for effect. 

Each item has been dried with chemicals for a month-and-a-half and will not spoil. He has used dried mushrooms, kath badam, pine fruits, ata, bel etc for his other pieces. The one in the picture costs Rs 1,600. 

Angry Birds pendants 
At: Stall A-72
Price: Rs 30-35 

In a sea of costume jewellery, Angry Birds pendants stick out. This stall near the exit had started out with three dozen such chains but on Wednesday they only had five left. “They are selling better than I had expected and I must replenish stocks immediately,” says stall-keeper Tapas Ray, who had not heard of the Angry Birds brand before. “All I know is that women and children adore these colourful faces. When I go to get more stocks next time, I shall look for Angry Birds earrings too.”

Spiderman study table 
At: Wood Décor Furniture, 
Stall B-19
Price: Rs 3,800 after a discount for the fair 

Homework might be fun for your son if he gets to solve it sitting at a Spiderman-themed table. The table comes with a clock and pen stand attached and the height of the table and chair are adjustable. The table ranges from 2-ft to 4-ft and the chair from 1-ft to 3-ft. 

“Our sofa sets and study tables are selling very well at this fair. We have already sold around 10 tables,” said Arindam Bhowmick of the stall. Other available themes for the study table are Barbie and Angry Birds and they come with a two-year warranty. 

Pens & nail polish 
At: A stall in the middle of the walkway near the stage 
Price: Rs 20 

This stall has a surprise under every wrapper. You pick up the miniature soft drinks cans thinking they are key chains but it turns out that they double as pens. Remove the lid and a pen can be pulled out,” smiles the vendor Tapas Manna. The pen’s refills can be changed once they finish.

Then again, you pick up a cute duck and see the body is differently-coloured. “That’s nail polish,” Manna impresses again. “I have branded nail polishes too but this duck cover is so cute that customers are preferring these. They say they’ll keep the bottles as show pieces after the nail polish finishes.”