Nizamuddin Basti dons best colours for 2-day fair

Under the warm afternoon sun,Farida bent over womens palms and drew precise mehendi patterns.

Under the warm afternoon sun,Farida bent over womens palms and drew precise mehendi patterns,while two more women near her showcased the intricate art of cutting paper to replicate Mughal jali work. Farida and the women are residents of Nizamuddin Basti,where for the first time,a fair was set up to bring together the different flavours of the historically rich area.

Organised by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture (AKTC),the two-day fair concluded on Monday. From kebabs to giant wheels,traditional and modern elements of the Indian mela were set up near Shiv Mandir in the area.

Some of the women who showcased their work belong to workshops organised by AKTC in the area. Others had come to the fair by filling out an application.

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AKTC project director Ratish Nanda told Newsline that depending on the response,more fairs may be organised in the future. Through the fair,we want to showcase the art that represents the area and its people, he said. There were perfumers and dress-makers who have been selling perfumes and intricately embroidered garments at the Basti for generations.

If all goes well,we could definitely see more such fairs on a regular basis. Not only does the fair showcase talent,it can also help the people of the Basti financially, said Shakeel Hossain,a consultant with AKTC.

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