Craft fair at Thal begins

Our Correspondent

Advertisement

Pithoragarh, April 12

The traditional culture and craft fair started at Thal town in Didihat subdivision of the district today. The local traders’ association is organizing the fair for the first time. Earlier, it was organised by the zila panchayat.

“This year, the local traders are organising as the zila panchayat has withdrawn its support due to a financial crunch,” said Balwant Satyal, president of the Thal Vyapar Sangthan.

The three-day traditional fair is gradually losing its sheen as neither the state government nor any NGO has come forward to patronise it. “Despite much hue and cry in the name of culture protection in the state, the local craft in the Talla Johar region is gradually depleting as artistes are not getting support from any institution,” said Satyal.

He said the Thal fair was known for its agricultural craft items, made up of ‘ringal’ (thin variety of bamboo). “With the depletion of agriculture from villages due to migration, villagers show no interest in purchasing these craft items which were traditionally used in storing, carrying to catapult and use at a daily basis by old agrarian society in hill region,” said Satyal.

He said with the depletion of craft, people were becoming apathetic towards the local culture.