10-day National Crafts Mela opens with a bang

CHANDIGARH: The 10-day long National Crafts Mela was inaugurated here on Friday amidst colourful cultural performances at Kalagram, Chandigarh. The crafts mela would go on till November 18 showcasing folk traditions, arts and crafts of the tribal regions of India besides highlighting all the cultural regions of the country. The theme of this year is - South Central Zone.


First day of the mela did not witness much crowd, which according to the visitors was a good thing. "I knew that most stalls won't be available but I came because on first day they give good discounts and you get maximum time and space to walk around and enjoy the mela," said Arunima Dixit, a Panchkula resident who was visiting with her mother-in-law. Marked by diversity and creativity, artistic skill at its best are being showcased by traditional rich craftsmen from all across the country. However, on Friday most of the stalls were still being set up. Nearly 170 temporary stalls have been set up showcasing diverse creativity.

The swings were not functioning which was a little disappointing for the children. However, the cultural shows attracted a number of audience. Besides the stage performances. there were small groups performing in different sections. The students of Arts College were also seen putting in their best effort. They were painting the walls and structures to give a tribal feel to the fair. "Our team of 12 students started painting in the morning," said the team leader Abhishek Tiwari, a first-year master's student from Government College of Arts in Sector 10.

Each day of the crafts mela will witness different performances. On November 9, Dhruvaa - The

Sanskrit

band, Ranjit Bawa on November 10, Anand Misra and Manjeet Nikki on November 11, Kulwinder Billa on November 12, folk band performance by Lasya Wow Womania and Lal Chand Lala and Sonu Virk on November 13, Punjabi folk night on November 14, performance by Hans Raj Hans on November 15, performance by Satinder Sartaj on November 16, performance by Jazzy B on November 17 and the closing day will be celebrated with the performance by Lakhwinder Wadali on November 18.

Art forms to be showcased
The art forms that will be showcased during the craft mela are lavni from Maharashtra, badhai from Madhya Pradesh, panthi from Chhattisgarh, lambadi from Andhra Pradesh, mathuri from Telangana, goti pua from Oddisha, sidhi dhamal from Gujarat, bardoi shikhla from Assam, tamag selo from Sikkim, mewasi from Gujarat, Himachali gidha from Himachal Pradesh, dogri fance from Jammu and Kashmir, chakri dance from Rajasthan, thadiya chufla from Uttrakhand, phag/ghoomer from Haryana and sammi/bhangra from Punjab.

Cultural treat
There will be performances of Been Jogi from Haryana, Kachi Ghodi from Rajasthan, Bazigar from Punjab, Nachar from Punjab, Behrupiya from Rajasthan.

Celebrating Gandhi
On the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatama Gandhi, UT administration is giving a tribute to the leader. The stall will showcase some of the rare pictures of Gandhi's life and other aspects of his journey.