The charm of a present-day market with its carnival-like atmosphere and vibrant stalls filled with kitschy artefacts and organic produce is unmatchable, writes Priyadarshini Paitandy

For long, we have been a generation that buys packaged veggies, processed snacks and artificial seasoning from air-conditioned hypermarkets. Ready-to-eat food has been our quick-meal solution. And the idea of entertainment is mostly limited to malls, clubs and movies. But now on the rise is the concept of outdoor markets, a trend that was a hit in the 80s. Remember the good old shandy markets? Most of them have packed up. Perhaps, the only one in existence is the Pallavaram sandhai that sets up shop every Friday. A large spread of DVDs, second-hand radios, torch lights and air-coolers jostle for attention there.

The present-day markets are different. A carnival-like atmosphere, along with vibrant stalls selling kitschy artefacts and delectable goodies, it’s a great source of entertainment for the weekends. And almost every other Saturday and Sunday, there’s a new one in the city. Besides, given the growing interest in food and wellness, the majority are farmers markets or pop-ups offering organic fare.

Last Sunday, many late-risers had a good reason to wake up early and head to Harrington Road — the Woodside Farmers Market. Organised for the first time, this day-long event had 16 stalls selling gourmet coffee, artisan cheese, farm-fresh fruits, vegan sauces and gooey desserts. “One of the most interesting products was the vegan mock meat sausage that’s made of soybean but tastes just like meat,” says Mohan Daniel, who organised the souk, along with his wife Moushmi. The venue was abuzz by 10 a.m. and many of the stalls sold out their produce within three hours. Though most of the vendors were from Chennai, there were some from Kodaikanal, Coorg; farmers from Vellore with their bounty of sapodilla, radish, pumpkin and honey. “1,200 clients walked in. The response has prompted us to conduct this on the first Sunday of every month. It’s also an effective way for start-ups to test the waters,” he adds. And what about quality control? “We shortlist from the entries received based on quality,” he says.

Cheryl Gonsalves, who started the quirky restaurant MadHatters Tea Garden, utilises her lovely outdoor space by hosting markets. “For at least a month, my team and I sampled all the products that were picked out to be displayed at our market. Nothing commercial is allowed,” says Cheryl. Unlike other countries and cities, people here have not really experienced the feel of a flea or organic market. “My outlet has many banana and mango trees and the place is perfect for such happenings,” says Cheryl, who organised a few flea markets. She noticed that people were more into drinking soymilk and going organic, so she set up a farmers market six months back. The usual suspects — jams, vegetables and fruits — were present, along with kitchen equipments such as pots, pans and pressure cookers made out of mud. She gets a lot of artisans and vendors from villages. “It does well because with all the spraying of pesticides and chemicals, people are worried about the impact on health,” she adds. Vegetables are most in demand, and during mango season, it’s the king of fruits that consumers frantically search for. For the upcoming market next month, watch out for broccoli and carrots from farms in Ooty, spices, milk, chemical-free soaps, eggs and organic chicken even. “Some of the farmers worry about wastage. Often, nothing really is left by the end of it. This time, they have requested us to get requirement and quantity forms filled by the clients,” adds Cheryl.

Madras Market that started in 2013 was one of the earlier ones to bring back the aura of bazaars. With a mix of food, games and retail therapy, it gave the families a place to go to during weekends rather than the usual run-of-the-mill options. Since children comprise a substantial number of walk-ins, there are fun activities including archery, zorbing, mazes and trampolining to keep them occupied. These activities aren’t restricted to the younger lot alone.

For shopaholics, the lure has been the availability of unusual goods. “The idea is to give space to sellers who have unique jewellery, clothes, and objects of art on offer. We try not to repeat products; 50 per cent of them are from Chennai, the rest from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Jamshedpur… Only 20 per cent of what we have is commercial products,” says Sarah Natasha, who started the Madras Market. It takes place twice a year, but the trial and error method continues. 300 to 400 interested designers, artisans and entrepreneurs send in their applications to be part of the event, of which around 130 are selected. “But sometimes, the quality of the actual products is appalling. We have banned some of them,” she adds. But the good news is that there are also city-based brands that have a loyal fan following such as Goli Soda, Ashvita and Terra Foods.

Most of these markets may not advertise aggressively, yet they have a steady flow of clients. Announcements frequently pop up on social media. The atmosphere is laid-back — ideal for relaxed afternoons and pleasant evenings with a large selection to fill your shopping bags. Also, it is a different experience to meet the farmers and know how and where the contents of your plate come from, rather than walk down the long aisles of a supermarket, pushing a trolley and piling on packaged provisions.