With just a week left for Vishu, shopping centres are getting ready to offer a variety fare to shoppers.
The commercial establishments are trying to cash in on the trend during Vishu now when shopping for clothes is done as vibrantly as during Onam time.
While buying the ‘Onakodi’ or new clothes during Onam has remained a norm, the practise of buying new clothes for Vishu was till now restricted to the affluent class.
Riding high
But now, with the rise in the purchasing power of the middleclass, the trend to buy new dresses for Vishu rides as high as during the Onam time.
This festive season, the shoppers in the city are spoilt for choices with several expos and emporiums offering a rich and varied spread.
Handloom fabrics being more preferred during the festivities, and the race is between Khadi and Handloom Cooperative societies.
The Khadi Gramodyog emporium at SM Street and the Khadi Grama Soubhagya on Cherooty Road, two major Khadi outlets in Kozhikode, have started their Vishu melas on Monday with a range of Khadi products including the traditional cotton dhothies, set dhothies, and saris, besides readymade shirts and kurtas for the occasion. The select Khadi silk materials and saris are also in great demand.
A Vishu Handloom Expo has also begun at the Regional Public Health Laboratory compound opposite the Police Commissioner Office on Pavamani Road. The expo features stalls by government-owned handloom brands Hantex and Hanveev besides those of various weavers’ cooperative societies of the district. The exhibition is organised by the District Industries Centre. The expo as well as the Khadi emporiums offers 30 per cent government rebate on handloom fabrics.
The Rajasthan Grameen Mela that began a few weeks ago will continue till the day before Vishu featuring products from across the country.
The All India sari expo that started at Police Club on April 1 will also go on till April 14 targeting the Vishu shoppers. The expo features hand-picked cotton saris and dress materials from Pochampalli to West Bengal with exquisite embroideries and other works.
