The Navaratri season kolu bommai sales this year have not been great for hawkers on North Mada Street, Mylapore.
The pre-monsoon rain and the sober response of shoppers did not bring in good sales for them.
Said Shanthi who resides in Pallavaram and had put up a stall, ” I had invested a good amount of money and had transported all the idols but with more competition around I was unable to sell as expected.”
There are many hawkers like her who have gone home disappointed.
Shoppers though said that the prices are stiff and so buying is limited to bommais that people really need for that year.
Shanthi said she wants to dispose of some bommais for cost price but the rain had spoiled her plans and she is stuck with a huge stock.
Hawkers say that nowadays, the regular shops that sell crafts, gift items and fancy items also display and sell kolu bommais and street hawkers have to compete with them.
– By Baskar Seshadri
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