Knot Square recently had the opportunity to participate in a vibrant event called Deepavali Sante, hosted at The Tamarind Tree, a beautiful wedding venue in Bengaluru. I heard about this opportunity from a fellow small business owner and decided to join with high hopes for a successful day.
In the lead-up to the event, I began preparations, eager to showcase my macramé creations. However, just a few days before, I fell ill with a fever, followed by terrible neck and shoulder pain. This setback made it difficult to do as much knotting as I had planned, but once I recovered, I managed to do the best I could with the time remaining.
Despite these challenges, I was determined to make the most of the event. The organizers did a good job marketing the Sante, reaching out to various content creators in Bengaluru, which created a lot of anticipation. With an entry fee in place, I was optimistic about attracting a quality crowd that would appreciate the handmade crafts on display.
On the day of the event, The Tamarind Tree was transformed into a festive scene. The day began with a lively inauguration, featuring the rhythmic beats of Dollu Kunitha. I even joined in, dancing with fellow business owners. It was a fantastic way to start the day and connect with the community.
A pair of earrings caught my eyes from one of the stalls. These earrings had a special connection to my roots in Mangalore, and I couldn’t resist purchasing them. Throughout the day, they became a conversation starter, drawing compliments from other attendees. I liked the work so much that I placed another custom order. I can't wait to wear them for my upcoming event.
Sales at the stall were slow, but I did manage to sell a variety of items, including headbands and a beautiful macramé piece on a kauna grass bag. One customer was buying the bag for his sister but was initially hesitant about how to carry it through the Sante. He was thinking of ordering it online later, but I offered to reserve it for him. He made the payment, planning to collect it at the end of the day. Unfortunately, due to the rain, he had to leave in a hurry and forgot the parcel. Thankfully, I had shared my contact details with him, and later, he requested that I ship it to him, which I was happy to do.
The event featured stage performances throughout the day, and the evening included live music with a dance floor open for everyone. Even though sales remained slow, I decided to let go of the stress and go to the dance floor with my husband. While dancing, I noticed a man showing repeated interest in one of our wall hangings, 'Knot So Aam.' He visited my stall two or three times, clearly torn about making a decision. I approached him to offer help, and he explained that while he loved the piece, he couldn’t make a final decision without his wife’s approval. He even video-called her to show the piece but still couldn't decide. His thoughtfulness made me smile.
Rain became a major challenge for many vendors that day. Luckily, my stall was inside a closed auditorium, so I was spared any issues. However, those with outdoor stalls struggled to manage, as the venue lacked proper drainage and the area started to flood. My friend, who had suggested the event to me, was also affected, as the rain disrupted the food area, forcing her to pack up early. Overall, most vendors felt that the footfall wasn’t enough to make the sales they had hoped for.
As the event came to a close and I packed up my stall, I was happy that dancing helped me feel better and let go of some of the stress. Although I initially felt disheartened by not making enough sales to cover the stall cost, I decided it was time to refocus my energy and prepare for the next opportunity.
Thank you for joining me on this journey—I look forward to sharing more about my macramé adventures with you!
-Archana Harish
Click here to watch the reel on our Instagram Page @knotsquare.in or here to watch the shorts on our YouTube channel @knotsquaredotin
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