The connotation, "Dilli Haat" simply denotes a weekly market or bazaar that is held in the rural areas of India. The word, "Dilli is derived from the metropolis city, Delhi.
Having lived in Delhi for some years, I have had the opportunity to be exposed to its myriad wealth in the form of historical monuments, art galleries, museums, places of worship and centers of classical dance performances.
Dilli Haat is a treasure trove, a fascinating, picturesque, modern day village situated in the heart of a bustling city, which represents a miniature India.
As I bought an entrance ticket and entered the gates leading to this unique attraction, my eyes were greeted by an original and creative landscape. Spread over an area of about 6 acres, I marveled, as I strolled leisurely across the complex, paved with stone and brickwork, skillfully interspersed with grass, flowering shrubs, towering eucalyptus and fruit trees. The minimal built up area was used mainly to display an extensive range of skillfully crafted handicrafts and ethnic wares by artisans from diverse states of India. The typically North Indian architecture using slate stone and latticed brickwork gave an authentic appearance.
I visited each counter, examined and admired the skilled craftsmanship of the artisans. As I interacted with them, I appreciated the fact that the customers had the convenience of a direct link with the craftsmen, thereby, enabling negotiation in purchasing exclusive handicrafts and antique pieces.
I was captivated by the wide variety of shawls and stoles from Kashmir, in stacks and stacks of vivid, shimmering hues and vibrant contrasts. Even for the discerning eye, there was a varied range of shawls in silk and wool, plain shades, alongside richly embroidered stoles in silken threads, priced at the lower end of Rs.100 to as much as Rs.100,000. The celebrated pashmina shawls, moderately priced around Rs.2500- Rs.5000 had soft, earthy tones in a choice of plain or embroidered variety.
Moving on, the next counter had a fascinating array of Indian tunics (long kurtas and short kurtis) displayed with traditional embroidered Kashmiri jackets, all at easily affordable prices. This was followed by an exhibit of bedspreads, cushion covers, letter holders, manufactured in the famous Benaras silk, and richly woven brocades and tissues.
The Rajasthan counter was resplendent with traditional miniature paintings from Udaipur, painstakingly painted with a single hairbrush, using a natural stone colour on special handmade paper, wood or silk. Side by side, were placed artefacts in marble, alabaster and soapstone with delicate inlay work using precious stones like malachite, lapis lazuli and mother- of-pearl.
The next counter had intricately designed artefacts from Karnataka known as "bidri' in an attractive alloy of zinc and copper, inlaid with pure silver sheets or silver wires. Thereafter, I got engrossed in an interesting display of curios in shell and sandalwood from Kolkata.
But it was late now. I was pleasantly tired, and though tempted to linger on and sample the exotic Indian dishes served up at the Haat, time being a constraint, I had to return home.
To conclude, Dilli Haat is truly a tourists' paradise, a show window in the midst of a lush green setting, a destination where one can pick up a charming memento or gift to adorn our homes.
