Traditional toys find new following at fair

CUTTACK: Forty-five-year-old Guru Mandal make intricate toys in the shapes of mongoose and caterpillars using paper, gum, mud and elastic. The replicas of mongoose that move just like the original creature, has been attracting thousands of children on the fair ground and are selling like hot cakes, bringing a huge smile to Mandal's face.
"So far, I have sold over 80 pieces of mongoose toys.Business is really good this time," said Mandal, a toy maker from 24 Parganas in West Bengal.
Mandal, who has been visiting Bali Yatra for almost a decade, claims that the fair has helped them keep the art form alive. "I learnt the art of making paper toys from my father at the age of eight and my entire family survived by selling them in the various markets of Kolkata. But in the age of modern plastic toys, the popularity of the traditional toys has dwindled," said Mandal.
"Thankfully, Bali Yatra has helped us to keep this art form alive. I work as farm labourer all through the year and come to Cuttack to sell toys during Bali Yatra. My business has grown with each passing year," added Mandal. This is not Mandal's take alone. Hundreds of traditional toy makers participating in Bali Yatra have a similar story to tell.
Earlier, the markets used to be flooded with low-cost China-made toys and plastic playthings, making traditional toys almost redundant. Now that Chinese toys are fewer, the ancient maritime fair has given the traditional toy makers a reason to smile. Sebati Das and her self-help group, which makes "Abhanga Kandhei" dolls from newspaper and tamarind pulp, is making a killing at the fair. Over the last three days, the SHG has made a business of Rs 15,000. "Abhanga Kandhei, the traditional toy of Odisha, once upon a time was sold across the state during fairs and festivals. But with the advent of Chinese and plastic toys, these toys started losing popularity. However, Bali Yatra has helped us revive the art form," said Sebati. Some clay toy makers and paper mask makers have used their creativity and made a fusion of tradition and modernity to attract children to their stalls.
"Earlier, I used to bring clay toys in the shape of colourful animals, birds and fruits to Bali Yatra. But this time, I have added cartoon characters to my collection. Clay toys in the shape of Doraemon and Chhota Bheem have been a huge hit," said Ramesh Sahoo, an artisan from Athagarh.