Date:12/01/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/01/12/stories/2008011260861100.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Avarebele mela’ being held in Bangalore

Staff Correspondent

The mela will continue till January 20
It has been organised for the last six years

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Delicious: People throng ‘avarebele mela’ in Bangalore.

BANGALORE: If you happen to pass through the Sajjan Rao Circle in Visveswarapuram you will not miss the distinct aroma of goodies prepared from “avarekaalu.” Follow your nose and you reach Sri Vasavi Condiments.

This is where the 10-day “avarebele mela” is being held — to celebrate the infinite culinary possibilities of the humble field beans.

Inaugurated here on Thursday, this unique mela, catering to the palate of just about everyone, will continue till January 20.

Visitors to the mela can sample savouries such as “hitakabele dosa”, “pepper hitakabele,” “cashew hitakabele,” “pudina hitakabele,” “garlic hitakabele” and “avarebele usali.”

Yellavare, ragi mudde and avare saaru are some of the special items this year. Apart from avare items, about 30 savouries and 30 sweets are available at the condiment stall.

Success

Behind the success of the mela, which has drawn the crowds over the last six years, is K. S. Geetha Shivakumar, proprietor of the shop.

“Winter is the season of avarekai. The bean grows extensively in the farms around Bangalore. We purchase avarekai directly from the farmers of Magadi, so that we get the best quality of avare, and they get a good price for their produce,” she said.

Ms. Shivakumar put together the 10-day mela in a record time of two months. “Our team included 50 members this year.

Last year we had only 35.” she said. So popular is the mela that she has been asked to hold similar melas in other parts of Bangalore.

Sixty-six-year-old Swayamprabha, a retired teacher, is a regular customer of the annual mela.

“This is an ideal place for those who do not know how versatile avare can be. And a mela like this one is a great chance for those who grew up on avare but do not get to savour it these days. Besides, the rates are reasonable and hygiene standards are good,” she said.

Special visitors turned up on the first day of the mela, including film director Nagabharana, and lyricist K.Kalyan.

The mela is open between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. everyday.