PUNE: As the festival of nine nights - Navratri - begins today (Wednesday), the young and old alike are all gearing up for the dandiya nights. Like every year, this year, too, there has been a novelty in the dandiya sticks. This year, the market is flooded with fancy designed, dandiya sticks fitted with LED lights.
The plastic ban led to innovations with wooden and LED dandiya sticks being in more demand. The traders in Bhori Ali said that last year, there were several options in plastic dandiya sticks.
“This year, after the imposition of plastic ban, the fancy wooden and LED sticks are in trend and plastic dandiyas have arrived in the market in less quantity,” added traders.
According to the traders, the youngsters are opting for sticks to sync with their outfit. Jayesh Shah, trader of dandiya sticks in Bhori Ali, said, “While buying these sticks, the youngsters especially are taking those that match with their attire. There are several types of dandiya sticks including LED and fancy wooden ones with heavy work on it. People are mostly purchasing these and they cost from Rs 50 to Rs 150 that can match with their outfit.”
Shyam Karela, another trader, said, “This year, the plastic made dandiya sticks have come in less quantity while the wooden and metal ones are in huge quantities. These sticks range from Rs 20 to Rs 100 per pair.”
Kisan Agarwal, a trader, said, “Post plastic ban, people are looking for options, so heavily worked dandiya sticks and LED sticks have come up in the market and there is a huge demand for it. In a day, more than 5,000 pairs are sold. Youngsters prefer these kind of sticks.”
Similarly, the potters of Kumbharwada have come up with several designs for the Garba Matka (pot). Yogesh Shinde, a trader from Kumbharwada, said, “This year, designs for Garba Pots include peacock, home kund, leaves, flowers, jewellery and many such others.”
Swapnali Shinde, another trader from Kumbharwada, said, “The Garba Matkas are available from Rs 400 to Rs 1,100, depending on the designs and size. Last year, there were less designs made on the matka due to which there was less sale. This year, due to beautiful and colourful designs, the sale is good compared to last year.”
