Chandigarh, November 29: The annual Chandigarh National Crafts Mela at Kalagram, Chandigarh is a joint venture of the Chandigarh Administration and North Zone Cultural Centre (Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India). The ‘4th Chandigarh National Crafts Mela’ will be inaugurated by His Excellency the Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh Shri Shivraj V. Patil on November 30, 2012 at 5.30 pm at Kalagram and will conclude on December 9, 2012.
The THEME of this year’s craft mela is ‘The Tribes of India’ where special focus will be on showcasing folk traditions, arts and crafts of the tribal regions of India besides highlighting all the cultural regions of rest of the country. The Craft Mela would showcase Indian handicrafts, handlooms and folk traditions including authentic fragrances and flavours of rich Indian cuisines, and also folk music, folk instruments and folk dances of India.
The last three editions of Chandigarh National Crafts Mela’ were a huge success which attracted several lacs of visitors and many a craftspersons ran out of their stocks not once but twice or thrice during the short span of 10 days of each edition of Mela! This year also, acclaimed handloom/craft persons which include Shilpa Gurus, National Awardees, Sant Kabir Awardees, especially selected tribal crafts persons from all over the country have been invited. Craftspersons belonging to Chandigarh will also have a special corner.
Besides showcasing art and crafts of the country during this ten days National Crafts Mela, spectacular cultural programmes choreographed by the professionals of the country will be organised every evening with emphasis on folk music, folk instruments and folk dances from all regions of the country with special focus on tribal regions of the country. Also, everyday there will be day long performances by renowned folk artistes. Approximately 300 folk dancers and folk instrumentalists including folk singers from all over the country have been invited by collaborating with six Zonal Cultural Centres in India.
This mega event showcasing crafts of the country and spectacular cultural presentations will 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.
Is there a singing competition too , plese let me know?