Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The Baliyatra fair is the most happening place in Cuttack now. The third day of the fair Friday witnessed a huge rush of people who were on the lookout for items right from those for household use to decoration for a bargain.
Warm clothing and textiles from Kashmir, including shawls and saris, are a hit among visitors. More than six stalls at the fair are dedicated to warm clothing from Kashmiri traders besides handloom products.
“Baliyatra is one of the best fairs from the business point of few. For the past eight years we have been coming to the fair and each year we do brisk business. Since winter has arrived we are doing good business. Kashmiri shawls, punchoo and woolen kurtis are very popular. Here winter is not as cold as in other parts of the state, so most people prefer Kashmiri clothing that not only beats cold easily but also meets requirements of style,” Mirza Wahid, a businessman from Kashmir, said.
Shobha Kundia, a weaver from Madhya Pradesh, has been a regular presence at Baliyatra fair. She, too, has glad tidings from the till. “The response this year has been really good. Every year I bring hand embroidered dresses. I have clothing in the price range of Rs200 to Rs1,200. My whole family does embroidery work and we have been in the business for many years now. As we are directly selling in the market, we are able to not only sell our products at reasonable prices but also make good profits,” Shobha said.
Besides handloom products, other textiles are also witnessing good business at the fair. Some of the stalls, set up by self-help groups from across the state, are drawing huge crowds.
Products made from parts of the palm tree, including baskets, bags and mats are another key attraction. “Palm products have always been popular among Oriya people. They are used commonly in households. Women from SHGs are working with us and producing items such as baskets, boxes, bags and decorative pieces that people are queueing up to purchase,” Murlidhar Sethi, who works with Orissa Rajya Talgur Sanbaya Sangha Limited, said.
The Baliyatra fair is also turning out to be a hub for sale of Sitalpati bags, mats and purses from Kuchbihar. Visit any fair orgainsed in Cuttack, and one would always find at least one stall dedicated to Sitalpati products. “Sitalpati products are traditional and are still popular among buyers owing to their durability. Earlier only mats were the key products but innovative ideas and designs are being tested and the number of products has expanded. Now the material is being crafted as bags, schoolbags, purses, chappals and sandals,” Shanto Dutta, a stall operator, said.
One other business that is on a roll this year is food. The fairground offers variety fare with stalls delivering food items from different parts of the country. Evenings are rush hour at the food vends as visitors line up to taste mouth-watering delicacies drawn from places such as Gujarat and Rajasthan.
“The best thing about this year’s fair is that apart from delicacies from the state, there are stalls catering to cuisine from other states. I enjoyed food from Rajasthan and Gujarat. I tried the Rajasthani gehwar, mawa kachodi and a few other delicacies,” Sulagna Jena, a student from Ravenshaw University in Cuttack, said.