I left work early with a colleague to pay my annual visit to the India International Trade Fair 2007 held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. Even then, I had time only to visit a few stalls. These were the International countries stall, the Rajasthan pavillion, the Tribal crafts pavilion and the food processing industries exhibition.At the International Countries Stall, I bought a board magnet souvenir of the Pyramids from Egypt, a flute from Thailand, sweets from Malaysia and a Hippopotamus letter opener from Tanzania.
The tribal pavilion saw me buying a traditional wooden toy from a stall manned by people from scheduled castes. These heritage toys are a lost art of India and need to be promoted more. I was real dismayed when I saw a parent refusing to get her kid one of these toys on the pretext that it would easily break.... as if the cheap gaudy plastic/cloth imported toys presently available in toy shops don't break !!!
At the Rajasthan Pavillion, I had Mehendi applied to my left hand. My friend gave me some tips on how to get a perfect dark red colour. She also helped me protect the design on my hand from getting smudged or staining my clothes. Thanks babe, you're the best!!
Putting Mehendi (henna) is also a great way to pretend that I have been invited to wedding celebrations in the city!!
That's an awesome piece of art-work that you have on your hand!
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