On the occasion of Pahela Baishakh, Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BCSIC) arranges a fair every year. The fair has no particular assigned venue; this year it is being held at the Bangla Academy premises in Dhaka.
The fair started on Pahela Baishakh (April 14) and will continue till April 24. It includes nearly 100 stalls, featuring rural, traditional items as well as everyday knick-knacks. The fair is seemingly popular with the urban consumers as evident from the impressive turnout everyday.
Metal craftsman Manik Sarkar, who is participating at the fair for the first time, said that the turnout is more than his expectation but sales are not satisfactory. Sarkar said the reason behind this might be the prices of his items. He sells bronze and copper items -- prices of which range from Tk 100 to 30,000. Metal jugs, mugs, plates, showpieces, miniature statues are main attractions at Sarkar's stall.
“The prices of raw materials have gone up so much that sometimes I think I should quit this profession,” said Sarkar, who has a shop at Mahakhali, Dhaka. Sarkar said that authorities should take necessary steps immediately to save this craft.
To encourage the rural artisans, every year the mela authority sets apart a space for them. This year, 10 such stalls have been allocated. The stalls feature artisans' works involving bamboo, wood, shola, jute, cotton etc.
Amal Malakar of Magura is one of the artisans who work on shola (cork). Malakar said that he has been attending the fair every year since its beginning. His items include handmade fans, artificial flowers, necklace, birds etc. Malakar has a retail and wholesale business in Magura that run quite well. This is his ancestral profession.
Beauty Begum from Pirgachha, Rangpur is another rural artisan who produces jute and cotton-based items. She offers everyday household objects such as tablecloth and floor mat. Beauty said that nearly 200 artisans work at her small industry, most of whom are rural women. Like Malakar, she also has a wholesale and retail business in Pirgachha.
Traditional Baishakhi food items such as batasha, kodma, jilapi, shondesh are also available at the fair. A stall is selling these delicious sweet treats, priced at Tk 160-200 per kg.
A couple of stalls also feature items form the sea -- shell necklace, showpieces made of coral etc. The artisans are from Cox's Bazar.
Apart from the beautiful handicrafts, bonus attractions are daily cultural programmes (at the Nazrul Mancha); puppet show; nagor dola and merry-go-round.
A ticket to the puppet show costs Tk 20; the show runs for 30 minutes.
BSCIC's initiative of promoting these traditional items at the heart of the metropolis is commendable. But many of the artisans feel that the authorities should be more sincere and committed to them.
The mela is open everyday from 10am to 8pm.
News Source: The Daily Star