Finishing touches are given to a brightly-coloured structure at Valluvar Kottam that appears to be a rather implausible cross between a fly and an elephant.
“In the recent Tamil film Naan Ee, the fly goes about destroying evil and discovering truth. So we decided to showcase Lord Ganesha differently by creating this Eee Ganesha,” says Sumathi Srinivas, CEO of Twilite Creations, an event management company that is organizing the Angadi Thiruvizha exposition.
Festive chaos reigned at Valluvar Kottam. Rows of white panels meander through the hall, dissecting it into 160 stalls. The wares on display are an eclectic mix, ranging from pyjamas, bedspreads and slippers, to property, vehicles and plants. The acrid smell of pickle lingers in one corner of the hall, frenzied voices bark last-minute orders, jewellery tinkles as it is being sorted out. Shiny bikes and cars are parked, games are being organised and furniture is being unpacked.
Most of the vendors at the expo are Chennai-based but there are a few out-of-towners too. Harsh Goyal, from Bangalore, says, “You can design your jewellery while I make it for you. This is my first exhibition in Chennai and I am hoping that people here will like this concept.”
The ubiquitous sari in its various avatars finds its way to a large number of stalls. Kalamkari, pochampally, block print, silk-cotton, net, Bengal cotton and batik are splayed across various counters, in all their vibrant glory, drawing large crowds of women.
“I really like the stuff here,” says Anu, a customer. “It is very different and reasonably priced.”
Many of the vendors are women entrepreneurs who have been offered space at subsidised rates. The exhibition is on till September 16 and entry is priced at Rs. 20.
Vijaya, a savoury products dealer, seems thrilled. with this. “I have homemade papads in many flavours,” she says. gesticulating excitedly.
“I think that with changing times, we are doing less together as a family. Festivals are supposed to bring families together and we really hope that by shopping together at this exhibition, people will start the Ganesh Chaturthi season on a good note,” says Sumathi.
and the proceeds will go towards Vizhigal - an enterprise that deals with sponsoring education of deprived children. )
via The Hindu Newspaper http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/chennai/article3898137.ece
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