numaish
my first time at hyderabad's annual fair
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I visited Hyderabad in Dec-Jan as I discuss in this post. It was my first time going during this time of year, which let me experience a lot of new things, including the Numaish, an annual trade exhibition that takes place in Hyderabad every year that bring vendors and craftspeople from across India to come sell their goods — textiles, dry fruit, perfumes, shoes, bags, housewares, and more.
Before I came, my mom described it as “like the state fair,” which vibes-wise is kind of accurate (it’s outdoor, it has that kind of layout and it has fair games and amusement park rides and food vendors) if you combined a state fair with a craft market. But I was surprised to find out that the Numaish happens only in Hyderabad, not in other states. And it’s been in operation every year (except for two years, cancelled once for COVID and once for a fire) since 1938 (that’s 9 years before Indian independence).
The exhibition grounds are huge and it’s easy to get lost in the maze of vendors. Apparently the layout changes every year and as far as I could tell, there isn’t a map available that tells you who is where. Frequent visitors to the Numaish know what types of goods they’re looking for — and what region’s work they are interested in.
I went together with my mom and my aunt and uncle. We got some refreshing glasses of fresh pressed sugarcane juice (the best drink ever…) and got into it. My mom and aunt tended to find one place they liked and committed to it for awhile, seeing dozens of options and getting closer to a preferred style and color palette.
This was one of the (unstitched) suits we ended up taking home! I loved the embroidery work on this one and the fabric. So beautiful.
While my aunt and mom continued looking at clothes, I wandered around, taking in the vibe, people-watching, looking at the range of styles, fabrics, and colors, and letting beautiful things catch my eye. As I walked, I saw vendors pulling out fabric billowing as it was laid down to show to customers, the chai-sellers walking by with hot chai and an impressive stack of cups, heard the constant stream of vendors soliciting my attention, hoping to get another customer. The smell of dust, chai, distant delicious cooked meats, and occasionally cotton candy as you turned a corner, lost again by the walls of fabric.
I planned to get some gifts for friends on my trip so I had my eye out for things they might like as I walked around.
I was also on the hunt for a pair of jutti-style shoes. I had tried a pair on at a shoe store that I loved but unfortunately they did not have my size…
I did end up getting a pair of shoes I really liked after going to a couple different places. I very weakly tried to negotiate and they could definitely tell I was American so they did not lower the price. I was scolded later for not bargaining and my cousin told me I could have probably gotten the shoes for 2/3 of the price… But it’s okay. I think Americans should pay more. And I love my shoes!
We took a mid-day lunch break and I had some of the best kababs I’ve had. I don’t have photos for you. I scarfed them so fast. But just know…they were so delicious.
I found this shop during one of my wanders and snapped this photo to ask my aunt and mom for their opinion about the red outfit in the middle. Then I walked back to find it and went in circles about 4-5 times until my mom finally found it. I did end up getting it! It was giving a streetwear vibe to me because the vertical stripes reminded me of the Adidas stripes. It comes with its own pants but I can see myself wearing this kurta over a pair of striped track pants…kind of sick.
Stock at the Exhibition is limited to what vendors bring and once it’s gone, it’s gone. So I was advised if I really liked something, I should get it then and there instead of aiming to come back and get it later hoping the price would drop. If you’re hoping to come back and get something…there are probably hundreds of people who will stop by between you and your next visit.
I walked around quite a bit and saw lots of stuff, but I think overall I probably saw less than 1/4 of the full exhibition. But even among what I did see, there was such a range of style. I did also play a shooting game where you shoot balloons with a bb gun but failed miserably in front of my mom and aunt and uncle.
Overall, a very cool time and I ended up going home with some beautiful clothes, a pair of shoes, a perfume, some amazing dried fruit, embroidered pillow cushions, a table runner, and a purse. Honestly, not bad!