As temperatures rise in Delhi, cardboard boxes full of green mangoes are descending from the east to showcase the vibrant heritage of West Bengal in the Handloom Haat, Connaught Place.
The mangoes sit cheek first on the tables as part of the sixth edition of the Bengal Mango Mela hosted by the office of the resident commissioner of the government of West Bengal.
The doors of the haat open at 11 a.m. and the last bags brimming with the royal fruit leave the premises at 8 p.m.
Growing popularity
The past successes of the annual festival have resulted in additional stalls being installed, and has encouraged the West Bengal government to extend this year’s exhibition up to 15 days. The all-day fair which began on Saturday will end on June 30.
This year, the exhibit is showcasing six varieties of mangoes from across Bengal, namely Himsagar, Laxmanbhog, Fazli, Amrapali, Mallika, and Langra. The variations of the seasonal fruit are procured from three districts: Malda, Bankura, and Murshidabad.
While Malda and Murshidabad have plantations that are as old as 100 years, the Bankura orchards are much younger.
Moloy Maji, deputy director of Bankura district horticulture department, explained that the district’s plantations emerged at the beginning of the 21st century after the introduction of modern irrigation methods.
Unlike the older plantations, the younger orchards use organic manure. The vibrant green skin of the mangoes indicate that the produce is bereft of any chemicals, Mr. Maji added.
Bankura is best-known for its Amrapali mangoes with its ochre-coloured flesh and marginal fibre content. The variety is native to the region and is popular due to its high sugar content.
The deep green skin of the Amrapali turns a few shades lighter and dons slightly blushed cheeks when its ready to be eaten.
Mr. Maji said the State’s production of the fruit has been better than last year because the region did not suffer its annual hail storms, which usually occur in May.
On average, the royal fruit is priced at ₹100 per kg at the fair.
Besides mangoes
Apart from the edible showstopper, visitors can also take a look at the 25 handloom stalls and eateries.
The State Fisheries Development Corporation is participating in the fair for the first time with their snack bar, which offers an endless array of fish-based entrées.
The handloom stalls range from woven Bankura silk kurtas to handmade Bengali folk art and craft.
Bengali artist-couple Madhu and Hazra Chitrakar come to the Capital each year in June to sell their artwork at the exhibition.
Their paintings are inspired by mythological characters such as Goddess Durga, and Lord Krishna.
The Chitrakars said each piece has a story to tell and they have composed ballads for each of their scroll paintings, which the visitors can enjoy upon request. Their stall’s magnum opus is an artwork based on the 9/11 terror attacks in the United States, which is worth ₹10,000.
The mela was conceptualised five years ago by the government of West Bengal to promote the State and its culture in the Capital, an official said.
“There is nostalgia attached to every bite of a mango,” said Nupur Janu, a visitor at the exhibition, adding: “I simply cannot explain it in words”.
