Trade Fair in Island grounds

Trade fairs are a regular feature in chennai and the mega variety in Island grounds starts end December and carries on for a few months thereafter. This event in the city has long since dropped off the radar and stays firmly as a 'not a must see' and there it remained confined till yesterday. The trigger obviously was the feature article in The Hindu metroplus section, a few days back and obviously the reporter had weaved a bit of magic into it.

Stray clouds had suddenly gathered on a lazy saturday afternoon and that gave us an added incentive to venture out .

The crowds were everywhere.We tried the train ride first. Wanted to get somethings correct before we get lost in the wilderness. We were patiently waiting for the toy train to appear, but were told it has derailed enroute and could we wait for another half an hour! A mini riot broke out and the visitors had a thing or two to say to the 'station master' and he was flustered and hard pressed to explain over which he had scant authority and information. Refund of the ticket of five rupees sparked another melee and we quietly slipped out not before asking the booking clerk that we could come back later(after the derailed train is restored back of course)

We went for the big rides now. There were any number of them;two big giant wheels, any number of roundabouts;roller coasters making one hell of a noise; dashing cars;a tiny ropeway;children's inflated play area, where they went in and bobbed up and down and shrieking all the time.Yes, I did feel little queasy about the safety aspects, but the festive mood and jostling crowds swept that aside and we were making quick selections. Settled for an innovative roundabout for kiddos and pops was making a beeline for it with a great deal of familiarity. Then there was the 'duck ride' which was a heady mix of roundabout, roller coaster and a giant wheel, but in small portions. So we plumped for it and the elliptical ride did make one queasy and I kept getting tossed within the teeny two seater.Pops was unfazed of course and grinning ear to ear. That is the end of 'rides' for us.

The giant papads invited us along with 'mulaga bajjis'. I asked for one papad without chilli powder.For the next half hour i was carrying it around for others to take pieces of it, while we were busy looking for that elusive buy in those stalls selling everything that you dont strictly need. Panju mittai, of course had to appear.Pops had seen it perhaps for the first time, so was quite curious about how it is made. We bought two and immediately ticked off one more 'must do, must eat' item.I was looking for the stalls sellling every conceivable vegetable shredder.I remember the cabbages and onions used to be piled high and you cant resist buying one. yes, I spotted one, but the vegetables were not piled high this time.

We went to a few govt stalls all the time lamenting that the trade fair has become more shops and less stalls.Perhaps,the govt has the tv to showcase its achievements and need not wait for the annual trade fair.

It was time to leave, but i was not sure that i wont want to come here again; to hang around shops selling 'genuine cotton sports socks' for ten rupees; foldable laundry bag for twenty rupees;every conceivable 'cooling glass' for ten;eucalyptus oil from kodaikanal and toys of every colour, shape and texture including the soap bubble maker.

Yes, trade fair is our own namma chennai concoction and a heady one at that.Yes, cooum is there with you keeping company; how you wish it did'nt.