The lights, colours and flavours of the India Tourism and Industrial Fair (Sutrula Porutkatchi) at Island Grounds in Chennai, are something that many 50-plus folks in the city remember with great happiness and warmth. A precursor to the malls, it used to be a place where families could spend time together, enjoying walking on the soft sand with the sea breeze from the nearby Bay of Bengal and munching on the big pappads and chilli bajjis.
The 70-day-long India Tourism and Industrial Fair that began with great fanfare at the Island Grounds in the city recently turned 50 this year. It was conceived and named by former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.
‘Appalam’ stall at the 34th India Tourism and Trade Fair on Island Grounds in Chennai on February 3, 2008 | Photo Credit: R. Ragu
K.C. Indhirani, a resident of Kotturpuram recalled the days when her family would go to buy kitchen appliances like gas lighters and vegetables cutters at the trade fair, as it is popularly called. “We would eagerly visit the exhibition to look at the new appliances launched that year. There used to be a toy train giving ticketed rides to children and adults. The Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments stall would serve yummy prasadam. The giant appalam stall from Delhi was a big attraction for children. When we used to buy unfried appalam for use at home, it would not come out as big or as tasty. It’s been a while since I went,” she said.
