Marked by diversity and creativity, the nine days annual extravaganza — Chandigarh National Crafts Mela began on Friday.
“Western India” is the theme of Crafts Mela this year. Inaugurating the fifth edition of Chandigarh National Crafts Mela on Friday at Kalagram, Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Shivraj Patil said that this mega event showcasing art and crafts of the country and spectacular cultural presentations would certainly provide a grand opportunity for the public in general and youth and students in particular to know about the rich cultural heritage of our composite culture.
More than 300 folk dancers and folk instrumentalists including folk singers from all over the country would perform during the nine days long fair. Besides, more than 200 national and State awardees from across the country are participating to display their talent at the fair.
This year, folk traditions, arts and crafts of western States: Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Union Territories of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, and Daman & Diu and other Indian States would be showcased. Authentic fragrances and flavours of rich Indian cuisines, and folk music, folk instruments and folk dances would be special attraction at the ethnic village of Crafts Mela.
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 has been on display at the fair. Bone, wood, clay, shells, crude metal are some of the common raw material used in tribal jewellery.
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.