Administrator Kaptan Singh Solanki to Inagurates 7th annual Chandigarh National Crafts Mela

By 121 News

Chandigarh 19^th January:- The 7^th annual Chandigarh National Crafts Mela at Kalagram, Chandigarh is being organised from Friday, January 22, 2016 to Sunday, January 31, 2016. It is a joint venture of the North Zone Cultural Centre (Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India) and Chandigarh Administration.

Giving detail about the event,Anurag Aggarwal, Home Secretary, Chandigarh Administration said that His Excellency the Governor of Punjab and Haryana and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh & Chairman, NZCC, Prof. Kaptan Singh Solanki has consented to inaugurate the Mela on Friday, January 22, 2016 at 5.30 pm at Kalagram.

The Theme of the Mela is 'North to North East (Kashmir to Kohima)'. The special focus will be on showcasing folk traditions, arts and crafts of the North to North East regions of India apart from rest of the country. NZCC has invited acclaimed handloom/ handicraft artisans which include Shilpa Gurus, National Awardees, Sant Kabir Awardees and Tribal crafts persons especially selected by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India from various parts of the country.

He said that the main objectives of organising this National level annual Mela is to showcase Indian handicrafts, handlooms, folk traditions include authentic fragrances and flavours of rich Indian cuisines, folk music, folk instruments and folk dances of India. To provide a platform to the crafts persons and to set up an environment where rural crafts traditions could be displayed. Acclaimed craftspersons from the constituent states of North Zone Cultural Centre as well as from other six Zonal Cultural Centres to be invited to display their crafts and to provide an opportunity to the travellers from various parts of the country as well as foreigners to have a feel of Indian traditional rural ambiance.

Anurag Aggarwal said that NZCC's Kalagram is a 14 acre vast complex offering many facilities and attractions like Open Air Theatre, Sculpture Park, permanent food court offering rich Indian cuisines etc. etc. The six editions of 'Chandigarh National Crafts Mela' held at Kalagram, Manimajra, Chandigarh during the years 2009 to 2014 were a huge success which attracted several lacs of visitors and many craftspersons often ran out of their stocks not once but twice or thrice during the short span of 9-10 days of each edition of Mela.

NZCC has constructed ethnic stalls made from bamboos/ballies etc. for the forthcoming '7^th Chandigarh National Crafts Mela'for craftspersons to display their creations. 10 stalls have been earmarked for Chandigarh for which U.T. Administration is selecting the best craftspersons. Rangoli and Folk Painters' Camp by renowned artists will be an attraction of this Mela. The youth especially the students will get an opportunity to know about the rich cultural heritage of our country.  Celebrated artists will perform daily in the evening at main stage during the Mela.