Artisans fail to make hay during Saras Mela

Tribune News Service

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Bathinda, March 12

The increasing number of visitors at the ongoing Saras (Sale of Articles of Rural Artisans Society) Mela may be an indicative of its popularity but the rush has failed to translate into real business for the artisans who have put up stalls at the fair.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Varinder Singh said, “We knew that a large section of the public would not spent much on the handicrafts in the initial days, expecting a cut in prices during the last couple of days. It is unfortunate because a majority of exhibitors don’t belong to well-to-do families.”

For instance, the widow of a artisan from Kolkata, who died on the first day of the fair due to some health problem, had to borrow Rs 8,000 to buy clothes to paint the local art. She was expecting good earning to pay back the loan. There are several other artisans who had taken loan or borrowed money to bring products to the fair for sale. At least, 400 artisans and more than 350 artists from all over the country are participating in the event.

As per official figures, more that 20 percent growth is being witnessed in the number of visitors at the fair daily.

Selling scarves, a vendor, said, “I am selling products ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 1,200. Many women say these are expensive. However, they are ready to pay much higher price for them at designer stores.” Daljeet Singh from Buccho Mandi said, “Designs of a majority of the items on display are unique. We are aware about the quality of work but we know that we can bargain near the end of the festival next week. Last time, a women, who was selling clothes at the fair, had slashed prices by half. She had said she did not want to spend money carrying the products back home.”