Modi masks, Malinga wigs flood market

RANCHI: Like every year, the festival of colours, Holi has paved the way for a variety of Chinese and Indian products to woo buyers in the markets. Modi masks, babaji ka thullu water guns, Malinga wigs, pirate caps are flying off the racks this year.
Ranging from Rs 15 to Rs 1500, water guns in shapes of AK 47, snakes, missiles, cartoon characters and much more are available in the market.
Avinash Verma, a vendor at Upper Bazaar said, "The hot favourite is the Modi mask, which is being sold at Rs 220 per piece. We also have masks of Chhota Bheem and ghosts that are very popular. They come for anything between Rs 50 and Rs 500."
He added,"This time we have a huge variety of wigs. They are available in single as well as multi-colours and come for Rs 100 to Rs 399. Malinga wig based on the hairstyle of Sri Lankan cricketer Lasith Malinga is selling like hot pakoras."
A variety of dry herbal colours, including colourful snow sprays, are dominating the market even though none of the herbal colours can be mixed in water. However, the wide range of innovative items have failed to up the sales this year. Santosh Kumar, a vendor said, "Rise in the prices and the board examinations are to blame for this."
He added, "Every year the examinations are almost over by the time Holi approaches, but this year the exam for every class right from primary to boards have just begun. Frequent climate change has also led parents to stop their children from playing Holi."
Apart from water guns and colours, people are busy shopping for clothes. Mukhtar Ahmed, a shopkeeper said, "The most popular are white kurtas with lakhnawi embroideries. But we have stocked up all types of kurtas ranging from Rs 200 to Rs1500 to suit all budgets."