Delhi's Sunder Nursery Hosts Vibrant Baisakhi Evening Bazaar
As the sun set on Saturday, Delhiites flocked to Sunder Nursery's Baisakhi Evening Bazaar, transforming the heritage park into a hub of festive energy. The breezy evening was filled with the aromas of seasonal treats and the sounds of traditional music, creating a perfect celebration of folk art and community spirit.
A Feast for the Senses: Food, Crafts, and Music
The bazaar offered a rich tapestry of experiences for attendees. From refreshing ganne ka juice and aromatic cinnamon coffee to tangy pickles and handmade chutneys, the food stalls showcased the best of seasonal flavors. Visitors also enjoyed a Boisakhi drink—a family recipe of tangy imli perfect for summer—brought by Kamalika Basu and Som Basu, who host supper club brunches in Gurgaon.
Beyond food, the marketplace buzzed with creativity. Stalls displayed:
- Hand-painted decor and homemade preserves
- Jewellery, candles, and unique notebooks
- Handwoven baskets by women artisans from Northeast India, using natural materials like water hyacinth, kauna grass, and bamboo
- Sustainable clothing and Phulkari embroidery workshops
- Hand embroidery on paper and dried leaves, turning everyday materials into artful decor
Rustic-themed photo booths with earthy props and vintage accents allowed attendees to capture memorable moments from the festive evening.
The Heart of the Celebration: Folk Music and Cultural Stories
The highlight of the evening was a captivating performance by Rajasthani folk artists Bhutte Khan Manganiyar & Group. They enchanted the audience with classics like Kesariya Balam Padharo Mhare Desh, sharing anecdotes about the songs and offering insights into their instruments, including the tumbi, which evoked the villages of Punjab.
Nidhi Purohit, Programme Officer at Sunder Nursery, explained the event's intent: "Baisakhi Evening Bazaar was our attempt to create a space where everyone finds something that feels personal to them. From the harvest table and stone chakki to the Phulkari workshop and Bhutte Khan ji’s folk music, every element was chosen with intention. We wanted people to feel part of the celebration."
Attendee Experiences and Artisan Highlights
Aleena Abbasi, a senior research fellow who visited with her husband, shared her enthusiasm: "I loved the handmade products and bought some notebooks and candles. The stalls were really unique, and the evening vibe with folk music made it a perfect Saturday."
Gunjan Bagga, who showcased hand-painted baskets, emphasized their cultural significance: "These baskets carry the spirit, skill and stories of women artisans from Northeast India. Each piece is handwoven using natural materials like water hyacinth, kauna grass and bamboo."
The bazaar successfully blended food, art, and music, offering a holistic cultural experience that celebrated Baisakhi's spirit through sustainable practices and community engagement.
