Madikeri: Little children sold vegetables, played indoor sport of yesteryears and took part in cultural activities like fancy dress and enthralled visitors at Gandhi Maidan on the penultimate day of Dasara celebrations.
Children dressed like traders and vegetable vendors drew people to their counters by shouting catchy slogans like ‘fresh soap sir’ and ‘beans taste like butter’ and asked the visitors ‘why don’t you buy and try’?
They sold vegetables, toys, snacks, food items, lemon and sugar cane juices and all that with relative ease. Visitors were seen bargaining to get better deals from new vending community and the packed Gandhi Maidan was abuzz with activity.
In between, a St. Michael’s school girl brought her huge pet dog ‘Drona’ which became the centre of attraction for a while as she walked around with it like a ‘super cop’.
The Pandals with mythological sets created by children drew appreciation from several quarters at one end whereas another group of little children were exhibiting their skills in fancy dress competition.
Traditional nostalgic toys like tops, pebbles, game boards with seeds were all part of the day’s engagements. Folk songs were sung on the occasion and the crowds thoroughly enjoyed the morning session and walked with a bag full of items purchased at the children’s fair.
Even Goddesses were seen conquering demons on the occasion to convey the message of Dasara – ‘triumph of good over evil’.
Rotary Misty Hills President Keshava Prasad gave away the prizes for individual and group event winners at the end of the program where Dasara Celebration Committee members, District Janapad President Anathshayana and many others took part.
The large number of visitors gave the clear indication that the show was a great hit where all tickets were sold out in the fair where entry was free for all!
