Chhattisgarh has entered into the final leg of preparations for the 29thSurajkund International Crafts Mela to be held in Haryana next month. Notably, Chhattisgarh has been selected as the ‘Theme State’ for the mela this time round. The entire venue of the fair has been decorated with traditional artifacts of Chhattisgarh, officials stated.
More than 300 artists from the remote areas of the State have been working day and night to bring alive the culture and tradition of Chhattisgarh in Surajkund Mela, beginning February 1, 2015. Apart from the famous Dhokra art depicted at the Chhattisgarh gate, the visitors will also have a glimpse of ‘Madai mela’ and ‘Haat Bazaar’ of Chhattisgarh.
The replica of Ganesh idol at Barsoor in Dantewada district and ‘Rudra Shiv’ in Tala will also be displayed along with bamboo art and huts of tribal people which will be decorated with paintings. Over 15 artists from Raipur and Durg have been working to give a final touch to the depiction of Madai Mela. The artists have also depicted the famous ‘Gaydi dance’ of Chhattisgarh on the walls of the venue.
The artists are also toiling hard to create an ethnic ambience representing the rural ethos of the State at the Mela ground. Domestic and foreign visitors to the forthcoming ‘Surajkund International Crafts Fair’ in Haryana would get an opportunity to savour Chhattisgarhi cuisine in a food stall to be established by the Chhattisgarh Tourism Board (CTB) at the venue.
Moreover, besides promoting the various tourist destinations of Chhattisgarh, the CTB would also showcase the cultural and traditionalcuisines of the State. The Chhattisgarh Handicrafts Development Board will look after the theme-based decoration of area allotted at the exhibition venue. The Board, in association with the Exhibition Authority has erected a permanent gate there at the exhibition venue. This gate symbolises the historical, religious and other important monuments of Chhattisgarh.
The Handicraft and Matikala Board will select a traditional family of Chhattisgarh for their presence in the exhibition. The Chhattisgarh Handloom Development Board will also organise a fashion show, based on the theme — ‘Handloom, art, culture and traditions of Chhattisgarh’.
The Directorate of Culture will select artists to present the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh at the fair. Special cultural performances will be staged on the inaugural and concluding programme of the exhibition. The Directorate of Archaeology will prepare replica of important monuments in Chhattisgarh State. likewise, the forest department will put up a stall of forest-based medicines at the venue.