Of baskets, trinkets & puppets

Kasmuddin Ansari manages two jewellery stalls at the 10 day folk festival in Campal. He never forgets to wear a ear-to-ear smile and when TOI approached him, he told us why, "When I am in Goa I am at ease, nobody shoplifts here like in other states where I have to be extra careful." Ansari's family occupation in the crafts can be traced right back to the days when the Mughals and the English ruled India, he says.Like Ansari, the Lokotsav, on at the Kala Academy till Thursday, attracts hundreds of traditional craftsmen from different parts of India, and how.
A national-level annual feature organized jointly by the state directorate of art and culture, the Udaipur-based West Zone Cultural Centre, Kala Academy and the Sports Authority of Goa, this festival of 19 years has come a long way since its inception in 1992.
Prasad Lolayekar, director, art and culture, says, "Lokotsav continues to grow every year; this year we have 300 stalls, last year we had around 200 and the year before that we had 100 stalls."
Putting together an event this big requires a lot of planning and the directorate plans a year in advance. "We inform cultural centres from other states, they shortlist the best artisans, craftsmen and performing artistes to send to Goa," says Lolayekar. "We give Goan artisans and performing artistes special privilege. Also, other states repeat their shows everyday, but we give our audience the pleasure of watching new troupes on everyday of the festival," he added.
The folk festival is organized to provide a platform to traditional craftsmen and folk artistes from different parts of the country and the state. Rajni Gaonkar from a Pernem-based self-help group manages her stall with zest. "Our mahila mandal comprises eight women; we weave baskets, knit crochet, prepare pickles and get a chance to earn something out of it by putting up stalls in exhibitions like these not just in Goa but in Delhi, Jaipur, Bangalore, etc, with the help of the directorate."
The Lokotsav attracts a mix of people who all seem to have something to keep them interested.
While the puppet show kept children busy, food lovers got a chance to snack on some Dal baati, Mughalai Kachori, Dhokla and a variety of chaats. Women kept the jewellery and footwear stand owners busy and antique collectors browsed through some bronze, copper and wood antique crafts. Photographers were also seen clicking the evening away, while performing artists readied themselves for their evening performances.
24-year-old, Deepa Upadhyaya, a student of GIM came all the way from Sanquelim to catch the festival, "There isn't much happening in Goa, so I grab every opportunity to visit such exhibitions," she smiles.