It was a big day for grade eleven student Anirudh and his friends. From Indian Public School, they manned a snacks stall at the kids’ santhai in Book Mark. “We feel so grown up, talking to customers, collecting money and cooking,” smiled Anirudh, who is a big fan of Junior MasterChef.
Frangipani teamed up withBook Mark Library and Activity Centre to hold Coimbatore's first exclusive fleamarket for kids called Carnivale Pink and Blue. The quiet library had turned into a fair ground, filled with noisy children racing around munching on cupcakes and chocolates. There were colourful makeshift stalls selling funky stationery, children’s furniture and aromatic sandwiches and pastries. Pragathee’s stall, selling butter scotch, chocolate and vanilla cupcakes was a big hit. This santhai has been very special to her, says Pragathee. “This is my first ever exhibition. Also, you spend time with children. It is more heart warming and less commercial, unlike other exhibition,” said the college student.
Kids loved the accessories stalls, where they could choose from funky and colourful fridge magnets, bags and pencils featuring their favourite cartoon characters such as Spider Man, Winnie the Pooh and Minions. Simran from Amaya said that make-yourself craft kits have been selling like hot cakes.
“There is a sudden surge in the interest for craft among the children. They would rather make these knick knacks than buy them.” Quirky personalised stuffs such as accessories organiser, note pads, luggage locks were the highlights of Saranya Rajan’s stall. Saranya says she started the venture after she had her own baby. “I was searching for stuff for my child when I hit upon the idea of starting this venture. The children’s market is growing by day. Kids are very specific about what they want,” says Saranya. Her brand is called Starlet and she operates through Facebook. There were kids’ jewellery and clothes including guitar pendants for children, baby clothes, kurtis and skirts. A stall of picture and illustrated books attracted the book worms, who chose to enjoy a quiet read. Later in the evening, the Helen O Grady Drama Academy team along with Bisharad Basnet, the Nepalese theatre director, paid the children a visit. They barged into the building, all dressed up in clown costumes. The children, vendors and parents laughed at the actors’ antics as the day came to a happy and colourful close.
