Friday, February 1, 2013

Colourful start to Surajkund International Crafts Mela




 by Haryananewswire

CHANDIGARH, FEB 1


The 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela started today with great hue and fervor at Surajkund Mela Ground in Faridabad. The mela ground wore a festive look with a riot of colours splashed all around with colourful cut-outs, streamers, statues along with 300 festival poles from the coastal region adorning every corner.
          Karnataka makes a comeback in the Mela, as the theme state after a hiatus of 18 years. A very eye-catching enclosure that has a distinct flavour of the state has been created. To welcome the President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee who formally inaugurates the Mela on 2nd February at 11.30 a.m., the artistes from Karnataka were busy the rehearsing for the performance.  
          More than 300 craftspersons, weavers, artisans, folk musicians and dancers from Karnataka brought the Surajkund Mela alive with a colourful and vibrant display of their unique and ancient heritage. Displaying the cultural and archaeological heritage of Karnataka in an aesthetic manner, replicas of the magnificent gates of the Mysore Palace, architectural styles of Belur, Hampi and the world famous monument of Jain Basadis and Bijapur have been erected.
          A spectacular stage has been set for the artistes and craftspersons from across the country and globe. A wide variety of handlooms, painstaking designed by craftspersons with skilled strokes replicate the traditions and culture of our country. Madhubani paintings from Bihar, Navalgund dhurries, Ganifa (Mysore) paintings, marble artefacts from Jaipur, to name a few, did catch everyone’s attention.
          The marvels of many ancient techniques of art blended with the rustic environment of the Mela has left a profound impact on the visitors, who never miss their date with the Mela. And not to anyone’s surprise, the first day of the Mela saw a good attendance and even foreigners visiting the country.
          The Food Court has been the most frequented by visitors as there are cuisines from various parts of the country being served here. The street food was finding many takers too. Also, state-owned Institutes of Hotel Management of Faridabad, Kurukshetra and Panipat are dishing out various ethnic delicacies.
          Haryana State Legal Service Authority has set up a stall at the Mela, which was inaugurated by Mr. S.K. Mittal, Justice, Punjab and Haryana High Court on February 1. This stall has been set up by practising lawyers, who are spreading awareness among the public about different laws in a simplified manner and are offering free legal assistance to the needy. The cultural programmes at Natyashala saw a scintillating performance by a cultural troupe of Karnataka that was well-attended and applauded by all.
          On February 2, the highlight of the evening cultural programme will be a performance by Karnataka artistes.
          The Mela will open to public from 1.00 pm onwards on February 2.

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