Barinder Saluja, Chandigarh,Oct. 25 : Chandigarh Administration in association with North Zone Culture Centre (NZCC) is organizing the 2nd Chandigarh National Crafts Mela 2010 from October 26 to November 4 at Kalagram, Chandigarh. The Chandigarh National Crafts Mela has emerged as a fusion point for art and culture from across India. The North East of India is the theme of the Mela this year. The whole crafts village will have the features of the eight sister states comprising Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.
Around 500 artists from across the country are expected to participate in the Chandigarh National Crafts Mela from Oct 26 to Nov 4. The fair will also witness thrilling performances by nearly 300 artists from different states. Around 200 national and state award-winning artisans will showcase their works and crafts in the aesthetically decorated huts. Special emphasis is being given on highlighting the area-specific culture, paintings, costumes and designs in these huts.
A large number of visitors are expected to witness the crafts Mela from Chandigarh and surrounding states, including foreign tourists, hence the administration will run a special bus service to Kalagram from various locations to facilitate the visitors.
Colorful, lively stalls, folk dance performances, mouth-watering cuisines and breathtaking artifacts from all across the India will be the highlights of the Crafts Mela. Another attractive feature of the festival will be “Street Food Festival of India”. The Zaika of India will be brought under one roof. All ten days will have special musical evenings from 6.30 pm onwards at Kalagram.
Painters of international repute who had earlier participated in the Dubai Shopping Festival, have made the mural and paintings on the bamboo huts in the village at Kalagram. The art work and painting on bamboo huts have been given a mythological look and the widely drawn art work on it, bears testimony to rich cultural heritage of the north east region. Each and every part of the art facets has a celestial and amazing diversity replicating the art prevalent there. The traditional repertoire of festivals and folk and community dances paintings on huts offer visitors a delightful insight into the tribal heritage of culture in all its richness and variety.
Special Mask Dance of East India resembling their kings, queens, in typical traditional costumes by the artists and the Dragons will be added as a special feature in the Mela this year. The exhibitors’ huts have been made on the North-East India theme. Full of cultural programmes, festive feasting and artistic creative activities, the Chandigarh National Crafts Mela, with North Eastern India is the theme state, will involve considerable effort and attract huge crowds with a
message of harmonious living and working together.
This year the entry to the Crafts Mela will be ticketed. The tickets for adults and children would be Rs 10/- and Rs 5 /-respectively.