Haryanvi pagri steals show at Surajkund fair

Bijendra Ahlawat

Surajkund, February 7

Although footfall at the 37th edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela is yet to reach its peak, the enthusiasm for donning the Haryanvi pagri (headgear) among visitors remains high. The ‘Apna Ghar,’ showcasing the culture of the state, has emerged as a must-visit spot.

“I decided to visit the mela specifically to try on the Haryanvi pagri,” says Ajay Chaudhary, a local resident. He mentions that while many of his friends have been trying on this headgear for years, he finally got the chance to don the famous pagri. Dr Maha Singh Poonia, in charge of ‘Apna Ghar’, a traditional village home representing the state’s culture, on the mela premises, said the pagri had become an iconic feature. He added that the ‘Haryanvi Pagri’ has gained unique popularity at the mela, as visitors prefer to take selfies and pictures after donning pagris and posing with traditional hookahs kept at ‘Apna Ghar’ here.

“Over 2,500 people have tied pagris since the start of the mela on February 2, with an average of over 500 visitors expressing interest in wearing the traditional headdress daily,” he adds. He adds that the team consisting of three persons has achieved the mark of tying a pagri in just 12 seconds.

Providing further details, he mentioned that visitors also have the option of choosing from various types of headgear, including Marathi, Punjabi, Rajasthani, Marwadi, Bhagat Singh, Akbar and Birbal. While Khadar and Bangar are two prominent types of Haryanvi pagris, he noted that the Rani Lakshmi Ba style of pagri has gained popularity among young women.

VIPs are welcomed traditionally by having a pagri tied on their heads, whereas regular visitors have the option to pay Rs 100 for a picture in pagri at the stall. Alternatively, they can purchase one for Rs 300 and have it tied on the spot.

Apna Ghar showcases various items of art and culture from the state, including very old locks and measurement units, agricultural equipment, dresses, cartwheels dating back 150-200 years, hand fans from the Mughal era, and a collection of traditional pagris from different parts of the country. Apna Ghar has been part of the mela since 2016.