City markets offer eco-friendly Diwali products

Sandip.Bal@timesgroup.com

Diwali is all about the light that chases away darkness from our lives and the victory of good over evil. Grand celebrations, good food and family get-togethers are essential parts of the festival. But above all, it’s the time when people decorate their homes with candles, diyas, decorative lights and other assorted items. No wonder, Bhubaneswar residents are going shopping for all things associated with Diwali — decorative items and of course, firecrackers. The

exhibition

of

terracotta

products, which the government organises ahead of the

festival

, becomes a big draw for residents. We went around town to find out what’s available at the exhibition and in markets to help you decorate your home this Diwali. Here’s the lowdown.

An ethnic touch to your home

A variety of handmade decorative items made by local artisans are available at city markets as well as the exhibition. Apart from being beautiful, these items are also eco-friendly. Nidhi Samant, a city-based interior decorator, said, “Since Diwali is a traditional festival, we must try to add an ethnic touch to our homes. A wide range of attractive wall highlights and traditional showpieces made out of clay, bamboo and other natural products are available in every nook and corner of the city. Pick up the best item that suits your home. Avoiding cheap Chinese lights is the best thing you can do this Diwali.”

Earthen diyas and lamps

Earthen diyas are used extensively to decorate homes during this time. Diwali used to be the best time for the local potters. But with the advent of cheap Chinese lights, their customers have come down to a trickle. But in recent times, people have woken up to the beauty of these diyas and business is picking up again. Even the local artisans are making simple yet trendy diyas, lamps, lamp stands and hanging lamps, which you can put up anywhere at your place.

A variety of clay diyas are available in the market and so are various types of clay lamps. “I am a regular user of earthen lamps and diyas and this Diwali too, I’ll buy them to decorate my home,” said actor Partha Sarathi Ray.
Torans and fancy items

City markets have a lot more to offer of course. A wide variety of torans, which you can hang outside your house, are available in the markets. These include everything from clay wind chimes to artificial birds’ nests, applique works and bamboo products. Also available are crystal and

Feng Shui

items and handicraft products. “For this Diwali, I bought a few Feng Shui items to keep on my table and hang on the walls, along with a lot of fancy items to deck up my home. After all, Diwali comes once in a year and I have to decorate my home and make it look beautiful,” said Amiya Behera, a city-based IT professional.

Terracotta exhibition offers great options

For those looking for more, there’s the exhibition of terracotta items being held on the Exhibition field. It has 100 stalls showcasing terracotta products from 21 districts of the state. “This exhibition is the answer to all your Diwali needs when it comes to clay or terracotta items. From home decor to Diwali specialties, you get everything here. There are traditional items as well as trendy products on display at the exhibition, which is held every year just ahead of Diwali,” said

Basant Kumar Dash

, director of the state handloom, textiles and handicrafts department.

Even the customers are happy with what the exhibition has to offer. “I was waiting for this exhibition to buy some stuff for my home. I have been buying decorative items from here for many years now. It’s a way of helping local artisans and decorating your home with some eco-friendly items,” said Subhashree Singh, a city-based teacher.