Taalpatar Hatpakha

Taal patar haat pakha (hand fans) were sold at fairs and travelling salesmen were frequently spotted on narrow lanes and alleys in the summer, hawking their vast array of multi-coloured, multi-dimensional hand fans. These fans provided the much-needed relief during the suffocating never-ending summer months and were in great demand in both urban and rural homes and even offices. During prolonged power cuts in summer (which was a normal occurrence even a decade ago), or a sudden electrical failure, the hand fans were in great demand to reduce the discomfort.  During monsoon, ordinary hand fans were used to flame the musty coal for cooking flame.