As a young girl who grew up in Chennai, I recall with fond memories attending the annual exhibition held near the Marina beach. The large space hosting dozens of stalls that sell handicrafts, handloom, utility items for the home, jewelry and several other items were a big attraction for many of us. We used to visit the exhibition with family, friends and buy so many things and return with glee. Those were the days when not too many sales and exhibitions happen, so this annual fair organized by the TamilNadu Government was much sought after. I still remember buying a big necklace which the shopkeeper said was made out of a cows’ horn. My parents were appalled but I as a gawky teenager insisted on buying the same. Such was the interest that we had for this fair, and of-course popcorn, pink candy and other oily but delicious snacks lured us to this place. The Ferris Wheel fondly called the Giant Wheel and other games were irresistible to us.
Over the years I know not what happened to this exhibition, either it happened as always and I out grew it or maybe it ceased to exist I am really not sure. But very recently I caught it again in The Hindu being advertised and I had to be there. This time I was aghast to see the crowd, the place was frankly nearing a stampede and ofcourse the variety of stalls were there, but I could hardly enjoy any of them as I could hardly enter any of them. It was so full of people.
I did a give a cursory glance to the exhibition and did not attempt any of the short eats as they were rather looking dubious. I walked away with nostalgia, but I did see a group of young girls heading inside with excitement and I smiled to myself.
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Bhuvana Rajaram
