Jan 21, 2011 03:56 PM
7439 Views
Mohalle key potte Pottiya
Maidan mein khel the hai
Shaam ka waaqt
Ek chirkoot ko idea atha hai
Chalte kya rey?
Ka'an jana rey?.
Numaish ku.
Chalo.
Numaish-This time its the 71th All-India Industrial Exhibition at Exhibition Grounds in Nampally one of the most prestigious events of the City and it is customary for every Hyderabadi to make a visit to the exhibition with their family and friends.
This year's Exhibition brings in much needed respite to the Hyderabadis, who have faced a political Turmoil of T. It is a New Year gift that this city awaits every year. Popularly known as "Numaish"-the Urdu word for exhibition; the fair has come a long way since it was first organised in 1938 during the reign of the Nizam.
And only one thing in town has been defying all odds to get bigger with every passing year for over 7 decades now.
Started in 1938 as a local exhibition, i.e Numaish, with 100 stall to display the indigenously produced goods in the erstwhile Hyderabad state, the All India Industrial exhibition at Hyderabad organised by the exhibition society has today come to be recognized as one of the biggest show-window in the country for trade, commerce and Industry with 2500 stalls with participants from all over the country, and from Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Bangladesh.
Over the period this exhibition has become so popular, that its scope increased enormously both in its coverage and content.Today almost all the state and central Government directly or through their undertakings are represented in this exhibition. The exhibition society manages around 18 educational institutions.
Come evening, All the people are thronging Exhibition Grounds in Nampally for the ongoing `Numaish' with numerous stalls offering all types of wares. Many swanky shopping malls might have changed the landscape of the city in the last few years but this open-air shopping mall has its own charm.
There is reason for seeing the Numaish once again- get the latest as much your purse can afford, or just do window shopping, or make masti with friends being part of the place where winter nights are melting in light and sound with fun and frolic.
Numaish is the institution known for meeting of cultures expressed in their lifestyles and reflected in goods and products.
Numaish showcases almost everything in for Home like handmade garments from Kashmir, UP, WB, handicraft, glassware, costumes, jewellery, a big range of electronic home appliances from all over India, dry fruits& carpets from Iran, traditional garments, bed covers, upholstery, furniture, household goods, trendy wear, leather goods, footwear, toys, jewellery, kitchenware, tableware, ceramics, handlooms and fitness equipment.
The exhibition brings together the best from all around, you name it and the big open air shopping mall has it esp new launches in gadgets, fashions n ideas that steal the heart of young and old men and women of all classes.
The prices are reasonably lesser, provided you follow the theory of the "bolne ka daam n the dene ka daam". Always expect the bolne ka daam to be twice the dene ka daam, and so keep bargaining till the seller finally gives up. There are the few exceptions, the Kashmiris.
For entertainment, there are a mini-train, giant wheels, and other joy rides. And here.Adults don't stay behind. They too jump onto these toys for a ride. Food courts serving chaat, pav bhajis, piping hot mirchi and alu bajjis and vadas, and Chinese fast food, KFC, Frankies, have been set up for all the perennial nibblers.
For the sweet-toothed, there are also sweet n ice-cream stalls, where old forgotten melodies ring in the air as one meanders through make shift stalls grabbing a raspberry duet or a bag of masala popcorns before continuing the aimless ambiguous passage, not withstanding the lounge bars, pubs and speciality restaurants that have add to the cities' nightlife. And where you can hear old-timers recollecting about `maut ka kuan', the fire act that was a major attraction.
Today the Generationext finds malls and coffee bars swanky, dust free and rather cool alternatives. In spite of Local exhibitions, like the ones at Shilparamam, Hitex grounds, Necklace Road and Nizam College, have not dampened the spirit of participants in the Numaish, with increase in participant every year.
The charm of going to the Numaish is always there.To quote from the adage `once a Hyderabadi always a Hyderabadi'.
Numaish gives great pleasure to Hyderabadis.The recent increase in shopping malls, which are offering all materials for a great discount, are questioning the need or necessity of Numaish. But, in my view no mall, however, big it may be, can't be competition to Numaish.
Shopping at malls has made life very mechanical, but, shopping at Numaish gives great pleasure to the family. Since its inception, the fair has one day reserved for women. Then there is a day earmarked for children. Comedy shows in Hyderabadi style and other cultural programmes are continuing even today.
Come January and there is nothing hotter than numaish. So, there is a great need to protect this culture/practice.
Neither the idiot box nor the numerous malls or the winter chill can hold back Hyderabadis from visiting the Numaish.Year after year one can see the same type of stalls pitched in at the same place. Yet people love to visit the Numaish.
Some are seized by the shopping syndrome while some simply take a leisurely stroll. Yet many families love to sit some place and unwind. In fact many people eagerly look forward for the Numaish throughout the year as it's a'once in an year' affair.
A few months before the grand Numaish, Hyderabadis prefer to postpone their shopping until the Numaish. The wait, as they say, is worth it because of the discounts they get and the variety they get in most of the goods available in Numaish.
Though some people think that they can have all these things in Hyderabad even outside the exhibition but most Hyderabadis love to shop during exhibition which also leaves them with some fond memories.
The general mood is upbeat and shoppers as well as shopkeepers feel proud in claiming that this is 5th, 10th or.70th time they are visiting or participating in the exhibition.
The exhibition will be held from January 1 to February 15.
Venue Exhibition Ground Mukarramjahi Road, Nampally, Hyderabad
Timing 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Entry charges Rs. 10 per head
So, when are you going to Numaish?
