Bidhannagar Mela (Utsab)
Where: Central Park fairgrounds
When: Till January 21, 2pm to 9pm
The fair was inaugurated on December 25. “In Bengal, we celebrate Durga puja, Id and Christmas with the same gusto. This is why we begun this fair on Christmas, which is much earlier than usual,” said municipal affairs minister Firhad Hakim.
About 450 stalls are selling handicrafts, handloom saris, jewellery, home decor items, food etc. “Besides artefacts from Egypt, Ghana, Turkey, Bangladesh and Pakistan, this year we expect 10 companies from Taiwan to set up stalls. Thailand is eager to participate too,” said Sabyasachi Dutta, the mayor.
The evenings will see performances by singers Indranil Sen, Subhomita, Santanu Roychowdhury, Raghab Chatterjee and local talents. An Indo-Bangla fashion show, showcasing the textile heritage and trends on both sides of the border, would also be held.
New Town Mela
Where: New Town fair ground
When: Till December 31, 2pm to 9pm
The fifth edition of the fair has 70 stalls selling a variety of ware, from junk jewellery to wall hangings and clothes. Another 30 stalls by self-help groups sells handicraft. The food zone sells winter special pithe puli as well as momo, biryani etc. The kids’ zone will keep tots and teens entertained with rides like merry-go-round, pirate boat and dragon train. There are cultural programmes, too, put up by residents of New Town every evening.
Marudhar Mela
Where: Ground opposite Newtown Business Club
When: Till December 31, 6pm onwards
A corner of New Town has been transformed into Rajasthan, or Chittor, to be precise. Inside the fort, the walls of which depict the life story of Rana Pratap on flexes, one can indulge in traditional Rajasthani revelry. There are camels, bullock carts and horses to ride, puppet shows and magic tricks to watch and traditional folk music — dhapp, dhol, nagara — to listen or dance to. Kids can visit the Dholakpur arena and get themselves clicked with Super Bheem, Kalia and Chutki. The food zone has traditional snacks like kachauri-sabzi, chhola batora, masala muri etc. There is Chaukhi Daani for multi-course traditional sit-down dinner too.
Tickets cost Rs 50 for entry (Rs 100 on December 31) and Rs 500 for Chaukhi Daani dinner.
