"that small woolen doll, happy
sitting with the knick-knacks,
those earthen wares and trinkets,
kashmiri shawls, phulkari,
and not to miss those puppets,
bangles, earrings, and mufflers;
a walk for a while in the market
you turn out to be a puzzler..."
Spending a sunny winter afternoon over a weekend in Delhi Haat with your friends or family is no less than a treat. The stalls, the outlets, and the people all conjure up an image of mystery and magic. I have lost count of the times I have visited this place over the years. And every time it bestowed me with a fresh and exciting experience.
As you enter, you need to buy tickets, they charge differently for children and adults. And when you enter a little more, you are welcomed into a world of vibrance, voices, color, and magic. Artists from all over India come together with their eclectic works of art to sell to their patrons. Indeed, this is where your genuine talent for negotiation truly shines! Though I could never up myself in this creativity, I have observed people with utmost sincerity, especially women nailing this art form. Then my eyes would automatically shift to the shop owner. How a pricey object made with time and patience brought to the price of a needle(pun intended) is worth feasting on. The actual price remains a mystery whatsoever!!
This year's highlights were Ladakh and the northeastern states. I enjoyed wandering through the maze of lively shops, chattering people, and boisterous kids running aimlessly. I must say their parents had a hard time trying to keep up with them.
As someone deeply passionate about art and artifacts, I found this fair to be a fantastic opportunity that couldn't be missed. I bought a few pieces of jewelry from these makeshift shops: earrings, bracelets, a purse, and a flower pot(wait...not a real one, on the other hand, it's made of wire and wool)- a remarkable piece of art.
As you make your way through these shops, you'll come across joints where an astrologer reads your palm and offers insights into your future. At another place, an artist captures your likeness in a stunning lifelike portrait while you sit for them. You can find a wide range of items here, including precious stones, silver jewelry, pearls, pickles, papads, and honey.
A style of painting I always encounter during my visits to Dilli haat is "Madhubani painting"(named after the Madhubani district of Bihar)- an art I adore the most and have a personal collection as well. Another art form belonging to Odisha is "Patachitra"- a cloth-based scroll painting that depicts mythological religious and folk themes. I am absolutely in awe of how intricately the images are brought to life with natural colors.
You'll notice crowds gathering in front of garment shops, eagerly trying on kurtis and sweaters, while others spend time debating which colors to choose for their cushions or bed covers. The six-yard saree, in its various styles, adorns many shops in this place.
And not to miss the food joints to satiate your palate!!!
There is a lot to appease your taste buds from different states of India. Just select the dish you want and order from their menu...they have a variety to offer. So, just enjoy gorging on them!
When you are exhausted from filling up your bags and stomach, and not to miss your soul, you can leave this place with wonderful moments to savor...
So, signing off now...
I can't wait to share my next post with you soon...It's around the corner!!!!!!
By Nandini Sengupta
@metaphors_of_life
#dillihaat #shoppersparadise #art #artifacts #food #delhi #travelblog #market #blogpost #writer #blogger #writersofindia #enjoy #ladakh #northeast #winter #afternoon #family #friends #flowerpot #madhubanipainting #patachitra
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