Spring ushers in Holi or Dol and it is all about having fun. It’s time to unleash the madness and play with colours. If you attend Holi parties and get-togethers, or planning to attend one this year, you ought to be ready to amp up the experience with a little fashion and props. Quirky masks, funky wigs and cool sunglasses are some essentials you’ll need for your Instagram! All these trending stuff and more are now available at markets around Kolkata. Heading out for your last-minute shopping? My Kolkata went on a recce of the bazaars to list some cool Holi essentials!
Hatibagan
You’ll find the funkiest looking wigs here
Jaismita AlexanderLooking for those crazy wigs? There’s a variety of those at Hatibagan. Keeping Star Theatre to your left, if you walk straight towards Hedua, you’ll reach the area on Bidhan Sarani where Holi stalls are set up. From multi-coloured Malinga wigs to flowing neon-coloured hair, you’ll find the funkiest looking wigs here. If you are planning to cover your real hair in style, these wigs are a perfect saviour. Pick your style and do not forget to bargain! Apart from that, you’ll also get fun masks for kids and some giant sunglasses. Go and get yourself prepared for the Holi bash!
Pocket pinch: Rs 100 onwards for wigs
Location: Bidhan Sarani between Star Theatre and Hedua
Bhowanipore
You’ll also get colour fogs here that might be useful for your Holi reels
Soumyajit DeyRight at Jadubabur Bazar in Bhowanipore, you’ll find stalls lined up selling an array of Holi essentials. While you’ll get everything you need, you will also get some cool water guns here. If you have kids at home, these water guns will fascinate them as they come in several varieties. Get your aspiring astronaut an astro-water gun and watch them have fun. Got a Spidey fan at home? Spiderman themed back-mounted water guns are also available! You’ll get a range of themes from superheroes to cartoon characters on these pichakaris. You’ll also get colour fogs here that might be useful for your Holi reels.
Pocket pinch: Rs 300 onwards for water guns, Rs 50 per piece for colour fogs
Location: On the streets and pavements at Jadubabur Bazar
Gariahat Market
Face masks of different kinds, gorilla, fox, lion you name the animal and the variety is up for grabs
Debrup ChaudhuriIf you walk straight from Anandamela into Gariahat Market, you will find Satyendra Dashakarma Bhandar, which is opposite plant nurseries. Find all your Holi needs at one stop here. A very friendly shopkeeper will welcome you and will even entertain bargaining. From a variety of regular colours to a special 2-in-1 colour set to face masks of different kinds, gorilla, fox, lion you name the animal and the variety. Even your gifting needs this Holi can be fulfilled at the same shop with a gift hamper that comes with five different colours. Even colourful plastic hats are available here. Superhero plastic face masks and large sunglasses are all on display. The new water guns they have are a three-barrel one and a sword-shaped one. Head down to Gariahat market for a one-stop shop this Holi and enjoy bargaining as well. All prices mentioned can be negotiated.
Pocket pinch: 2-in-1 colour-Rs 50
Gift Hamper -Rs 500
Water guns - Rs 200
Sunglasses
Hats, masks - Rs 50 to Rs 200
Location: Satyendra Dashakarma Bhandar, Gariahat Market
Lake Market
The newest kind of water guns that we spotted were bags attached to guns with a pipe, the bag acts as a refill and its best for children.
Debrup ChaudhuriIf you turn left from the signal before Lake Mall into Lake Road, you will see a number of shops set up on the road with all things you need this Holi. While each shop has a number of varieties available, we checked out the plethora of products at the shop in front of Shree Durga Bhandar. The shops are operational from 7am to 10.30pm. A variety of wigs are available at this shop from Malinga to Jawaan and different-coloured long and short wigs. Masks are available as well in different designs, animals, superheroes you’ll find it all here. The newest kind of water guns that we spotted were bags attached to guns with a pipe, the bag acts as a refill and its best for children. The guns and bags come in PUBG designs as well as different hero bags as well. Get yourself a colourful pagdi this Holi or funky glasses and Holi T-shirts with cool designs all at this one-stop shop.
Pocket pinch: Wigs-Rs 150-350, Masks-Rs 10-200, Water Guns - Rs 200-700, Pagdi- Rs 100-150, Funky Sunglasses- Rs 80, T-shirts- Rs 150-250
Location: The lane going left from the signal before Lake Mall
