Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, October 14, 2009:
The organising of indigenous fair annually and the enthusiastic response of the people in buying local handloom products will prolong the age-old traditional products of the state, according to N Pemcha, general secretary of AKSIL � the organiser of the 4th Kanglei Ningol Handloom Mela cum Sale presently held at GM Hall here.
Interacting with this newspaper, N pemcha said that the fair has provided local weavers a stage to sell the local handloom products.
The fair has also been organised to resist the invasion of 'outside' products which have been taking a sweep on the markets.
In short, it is an attempt to shield the local culture from being totally influenced by outside culture and to keep alive the indigenous culture.
Pemcha observed that the products are increasingly sell-off year by year.
This indicates that there is growing number of people who did not want to let the local culture die.
"This has been our plan and intention since the first such fair was organised in 2006," she said.
Talking to this reporter, Th Bijoy of Heingang Awang Leikai, a stall owner said products like 'Mapal Naibi Phanek,' 'Muga phanek' and embroidery shawls are the items which attract the most number of buyers.
He said, on the beginning day of the Mela, he sold the products worth Rs 4000 while adding that the sales increase day by day.
Stall owner of Babita Ningol Collection from Keishampat Leimajam Leikai informed that the stall earns over Rs 10,000 daily.
The largest crowd puller for the stall is Mayek Naibi Phanek.
Evidently, people were seen thronging the festive fair in large number today.
The fair has been organised in connection with the 'Ningol Chakouba' festival.
The fair will go on till October 19.