Summer exhibition

Been to the Ulsoor exhibition in Bangalore, that is conducted every summer. Having paid the entrance fee and dropping my name for lucky dip I entered the place without knowing I would enjoy much. Its a deviation for the Bangaloreans from the usual maals, park, theaters. You find exhibits from various parts of India including Shantiniketan handbags, bed covers, chappals, Rajasthan dress materials, handicrafts, branded items display, books for all ages and much more.

Exhibitions are always fun. We see many kind of people, their family orientation, Kids bugging their parents for a toy or fun rider or eatable. Well settled father buys them whereas a lower middle class man tries to convince the kid saying 'it is not gud for you, when you grow up we will buy'. Many stories like this run at each corner. Even if you don't buy just roam around and check things. Freaky guys get into a shop, check for the price as if they gonna buy, ask for some kind which is not available with the shop keeper and make fun out of it, I am no exception. Balloon, balls, toys, dolls are sold to attract kids. People who dont even go to theaters or any other entertainmwnt, bring their family and spend some time by buying few things for kids, eatables, chit chat for a while and get back to home in late evening. It is a pleasure for the kids to dress up nicely and get ready for this exhibition in summer vacation. Even I enjoyed a lot in window shopping, buying kashmir salwar materials, hair clips, house hold items, fun riding in dragon train and shouting a lot when it was moving fast.

This reminds me of the (g)olden days. When I was in school we use to go to the kottai mariamman kovil thiruvizha. People in and around the town and nearby villages come there with the family. House wives remain in fasting and grow saplings with sprouted beans called molapaari. They take procession by holding that in their head and reach temple. Music concert by local music parties will be conducted. There was a big ground in the temple premises where many shops including games like snake ladders, Rubik cube and toys for kids, fun activity in giant wheel, merry go round, eatables, accessories made us consider it as the amusement park. Only there we get delhi appalam, panju mittai, milagai bajji. Wherever such an exhibition is held, women section for accessories like hair clips, bindi, etc will not be missed. We go to the temple do darshan, purchase something, sit in the carpets and enjoy the gaana with family. I use to return home happily if my parents bought whatever I wanted otherwise showed my crying face. This thiruvizha that happens once in a year is a real amusement for us.

This exhibition is reposing and I want go to Ulsoor once again. Initially I hesitated to go thinking that it would be waste spending money and time and every year same things will be exhibited. What am I gonna buy from there that I don’t get in Bangalore. But it was worth spending some money, seeing such a huge crowd and cheerful kids, having good time with family. Moreover felt happy for purchasing something for myself and am waiting for the next visit.