Chandigarh, December 7, 2012: 4thChandigarh National crafts Mela continued its charm on the eight day with visitors flocking to Kalagram to savour the best in traditional handicraft and heritage put across more than 120 stalls across various regions of the country. The exquisite stall displaying exotic handmade art and craft is worth exploring and picking up the unique ones. Though there is massive participation from all states, yet there are few states stalls which are having very special painting and other handicrafts.
Artisan Ashok Kumar Paswan from Bihar has a fascinating range of Madhubani painting/ Mithila Painting which is a special style of Indian painting, practiced since ages in the Mithila region of Bihar state. The origins of Madhubani painting or Mithila Painting are shrouded in ancient tradition leading to the era of Lord Shri Ram. Madhubani paintings use two dimensional imagery, and the colours derived from plants. Ochre and lampblack are also used for reddish brown and black colours in the paintings alongwith sandalwood green from the leaves of the wood apple tree; white from rice powder; orange from palasha flowers. The colours are applied flat with no shading and no empty space is left to produce a colourful range of Mashubani Paintings which have a wide range and is being picked up because of their uniqueness and originality.
The hand knotted woollen carpets of Tonk, Bikaner & Jaipur, are generally based on Persian styles are available in lot of styles and covers. These traditional namda of Jaipur, Jodhpur are, mostly in pastel shades with geometrical motifs design. These can brighten any dullest floor. Woolen Namda of Tonk (non woven) is equally popular.”Lots of red color is used in it as it’s the traditional colour of Rajasthan” says the Artist. He has woolen material in the form of wall hangings, puja aasan Chokar, magazine holder, slippers, Door mats. The raw woollen is run over acid soap, pressed, washed and coloured in the end
In the evening, there will be Bharatnatyam Ballet by Shiva Saroja by Dr.Saroj Vaidyanathan at the main stage has been one of India’s prominent Bharatnatyam exponents earning her fame as an intelligent dancer, Guru & choreographer & author.Saroja’s devotion in the field of performing arts can be seen and felt in her world fame dance recitals and repertoire. From the tender age of seven years, she got trained under the accomplished Guru lalitha of Saraswati Gana Nilayam, Chennai & is the third generation disciple of the famous Guru Kattumannar Tanjavur Muthukumaran Pillai. She has also undergone training in carnatic music under Prof. P. Sambamoorthy at Madras University.
As a Guru she has been teaching this art form past four decades continuing the sacred and most reverred “Guru-Shisya Paramparaa”. Her innovative choreography and her complete surrender to Bharatnatyam have been attracting young minds and has also added in popularizing this dance form amongst the new generation, bridging the gap between our ancient heritage and our modern traditions. Using Bharatnatyam as a medium, she has been successful in portraying social issues such as Women empowerment, AIDS, Child abuse,etc. As a first initiative towards spreading this art form world wide, she established an Institute “Ganesa Natyalaya”,in New Delhi. It began with a handful of students but later it grew harmonically and today it has students, both from India & abroad. As a joint venture with various cultural councils and committees it continues propagating Indian Arts & Culture.
She has travelled widely, India & abroad for recitals, lecdems & workshops.Her recent works includes a bharatnatyam segment for XIX Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony-2010, poems of Rabindranath Tagore for his 150th anniversary- 2011& 2012 etc.
Tomorrow, there will be a singing competition titled Suron Ke Sartaaj at 6 pm on the main stage