With a wide range of sarees, salwar kameez, the BSCIC mela is attracting a large number of people especially the womenfolk, as Eid draws nearer.

Adding to the different types of clothes, the mela also included items like churi (bangles), bindi (a facial decoration), and a variety of ornamental jewellery, from silver to gold plated giving the shoppers a feast for their eyes and a pinch to the purse.

The Tant Bastro Mela (handloom fair) , which has been annually held since 1990, is taking place in five places in the city simultaneously. Weavers from different parts of the country, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) are participants, displaying their best hand-made products targeting the middle and low-income groups.

"Silk sarees dominate our sales," said Hasan, a salesperson of Hanif Silk, a stall at a mela being held near the Sonargaon Hotel. "We do have punjabis, salwar kameez, and shirts, but the sale of sarees top the list."

Of Hanif Silk's range of sarees, the most expensive is priced at Tk 1,450,000.00, he said. "We have so far been able to sell sarees ranging only between Tk 1,500.00 and Tk. 3,000.00. Sales have not been up to our expectations this season," lamented Hasan.

Shoppers are drawn towards the stalls put up by the CHT people as most of their products are reasonably priced. Items like fatua, shirts, salwar kameez, punjabis and sarees are priced between Tk. 250.00 and Tk. 1,800.00

Other items on exhibition are Kawsar Jamdanis and Rajshahi Silk sarees, along with Bata products selling at a 15 per cent discount.

Convenor of the Tant Bastro Mela, Pintu, has expressed disappointment at the turnover this year. "The numbers are fewer," he said, but hoped that sales would pick up four or five days before Eid.

In another mela at Manik Mia Avenue, the weavers put on display Jamdani silks and Benasari sarees, wrappers from Kumarkahli, Nakshi Kantha and lungi from Narsindi.

A supplier, expressing satisfaction with the sale of some of his products at this mela said, "I usually supply ware to various cloth shops in Dhaka. I am content with my sales." Nabiuddin of Chandi Cloth Store from Tangail does not have a stall at the fair.

At Kawran Bazar, weavers once again expressed disappointment as their sales did not pick up two weeks after the opening of the mela.

"Our sales have not gone over the Tk. 30,000.00 mark. Two years ago, sales were more than our expectation. So many melas in the city is probably the reason for this drawback," said Anjum of Nargis Silk.

"It is frustrating to wait for customers to come in after dusk. They hardly walk in after breaking their fast. I wonder if the rent of Tk, 12,000.00 per stall is worth the effort," added Anjum.

Sumon, a shopper said he bought most of his items elsewhere. But he said the prices are quite reasonable at the mela.

Munira, another visitor who bought some items for zakat said, "Sarees and lungis are much cheaper here than other markets and exhibitions."