Haat of the matter: Craft lovers unite in Noida
Spring is synonymous with colours, and true to the season are the vibrant, colourful offerings at Basant Utsav. Handicraft enthusiasts in NCR can find a huge variety — ranging from Madhubani to Kalamkari — at this ongoing fest.
Whether it’s easy-breezy wardrobe picks, chunky statement jewellery or miniature garden accessories, there’s a lot to explore. “The fabrics available here are gorgeous. I love Madhubani, so I bought fabrics in that work (₹1,000 per metre),” says Yogita Yadav, a resident of Rajouri Garden, adding, “Seeing my choice, some shoppers even tried to dissuade me from buying the fabrics because they wanted to buy it for themselves. But, I didn’t give up my loot (laughs)!”
With variety and exclusivity in mind, sellers are ensuring they make limited pieces of each product. Raju, an artisan from Chhattisgarh, shares, “We don’t keep multiple pieces in the same fabric and style as we want to keep our designs exclusive. Par iske chalte ek din jhagda ho gaya do customers ke beech because both wanted the same Kalamkari print crop top and we had only one piece!” He adds, “Tops and pants (₹350 each) in colourful prints are selling the most.”
Impressed by the authenticity of the fabrics available, Sneha Kumari, a Noida-based student, says, “My entire wardrobe is getting a glow up! I got to see so many cultures through the works of the artisans here. All this will refle t in what I wear.”
Among the handwork products that are flying off the shelves are cushions covers. Rekha Anand, an artisan from Noida, informs, “Customers are asking for macrame cushion covers because apparently, they saw them on Bigg Boss. They say, ‘Lace wala cushion cover chahiye’, and I know what they are looking for.”