The ten-day annual extravaganza — 6th Chandigarh National Crafts Mela — starting November 14, promises to showcase North India’s unique folk dances, folk music, exclusive array of tribal artifacts and much more.
Marked by diverse and creative artistic activities, showcasing rich craftsmanship from all over the country, the 6th edition of Chandigarh National Crafts Mela would be organised in collaboration with North Zone Cultural Centre from November 14 to 23 at Kalagram with the theme “Colours and Sound of North India”.
Around 275 folk artistes and dancers from far flung areas of our country are called specially alongwith dance troupes for the fair.And, nearly 150 master crafts person and 150 other artisans would participate in the Crafts Mela.Besides, vibrant stalls, dance performances by folk artistes, mouth-watering cuisines, melodies streaming from musical instruments and breathtaking artifacts from all parts of the country shall be the highlights of the Crafts Mela this year.
With the theme “Colours and Sound of North India” this year, a special emphasis shall be laid on designing of entrance gate and exhibitors hut. And, the rich culture of the north India shall be depicted through folk dances, artwork and through stalls.UT Secretary, Cultural affairs Bhawna Garg said, “This Mela is a platform for the talented artists, painters, weavers, sculptors and craftsmen form all over India who execute and exhibit their creations and the arts and crafts and art-lovers who flock here to admire and purchase these.”
“It shall be a privilege for the UT Administration to bring such a beautiful ethnic festival for the 6th time for the dwellers of the tricity. Every year, this much awaited event is witnessed not only by the domestic tourists but also by the international tourists. We are expecting that all ten days would receive a terrific response, be it from the food court, stalls or the cultural evening extravaganza,” she added.
like previous years, the main attraction of the Crafts Mela would be the participation of Shilp Gurus, Sant Kabir awardees, National Awardees, National Merit Certificate holders and also State awardees who have put their craftsmanship at highest level for display for the public and the residents of the tricity.
Also, the visitors can witness the variety of bamboo, jute and cane items, handloom bags, jute jewellery, cane bags, dry flowers, shawls, dry flowers of natural jungle plants, sunflower, peepal leaf, bubber seed, cane leaf, dry wheat, pine seed, net flower, maize flower, pine flower, lily, sola flower, lichu seed etc at the Crafts Mela. An exclusive range of tribal jewellery inspired by the tribal culture of northeast will also be on display at the fair. Bone, wood, clay, shells, crude metal are some of the common raw material used in tribal jewellery.