| Western India takes the centre stage at the fifth Crafts Mela |
7th Dec 2013
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Lavani performers from Maharashtra
he fifth edition of the Chandigarh Craft Mela, has maintained its standard over the past few years. The 10-day event was organised at Kalagram by the Chandigarh Administration and the North Zone Cultural Centre (Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India), with a special focus on Western India.
A rich fare of typical Indian folk lore came alive through fascinating folk dances from the northern, eastern and southern parts of the country. Acclaimed crafts persons from the constituent states of North Zone Cultural Centre as well as from other six Zonal Cultural Centres displayed their crafts during the fair.
A wide range of Indian food was served at the various food stalls. The Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Ltd (TRIFED) had brought a large number of artisans and artists on one platform. All the products showcased by these artisans were rare artefacts rustled up from natural resources of the respective regions. Nearly 50 artists from various tribes from across India participated at this annual event. Their handiwork included textiles, cane and bamboo products, paintings, metal craft, jewellery, woollens, and pottery
Music and dance events called Sufiana Saaz, Naach aur Awaaz, along with qawwali were also organised. Around 100 dancers from the Western states performed at the fair too. Lavani, koli, dekhni, garba, dandiya and dhal talwar gripped the visitors. Folk dances of North India comprising sirmouri nati and ghoomar were also part of the programme.
The major attraction of the fair was the textile and fabrics from the states of Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Nagaland. But the world's smallest Jutti, 90-year-old traditional shawls from Gujarat, 200-years old puppest and the lone family in India carrying forward the heritage of the exquisite rangoli art were some of the highlights of this fair..
This Crafts Mela turned out to be a queer mix of cuisine, craft and culture that left an indelible imprint on the minds of those who visited and enjoyed the fascination fete. The event registered a huge footfall with the enthusiasts from various age groups, including school children, collegians, NRI's and housewives especially from the far flung areas who came to enjoy the flavours of ethnic extravaganza.
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