Governor to Inaugurate 8th Chandigarh National Crafts Mela

By Tricitynews Reporter

Chandigarh 01^st November:- The 8^th annual Chandigarh National Crafts Mela at Kalagram, Chandigarh is being organized from Friday, November 4, 2016 to Sunday, November 13, 2016. It is a joint venture of the North Zone Cultural Centre and Chandigarh Administration. The Governor of Punjab and Administrator, U.T. Chandigarh & Chairman, NZCC, V.P. Singh Badnore has consented to inaugurate the Mela on Friday, November 4, 2016 at Kalagram at 6:30 pm.

Giving more details about the Crafts Mela, Director Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh Administration, Jitender Yadav said that the Theme of the Crafts Mela this time is 'Rajasthan'. The special focus will be on showcasing folk traditions, arts and crafts of all the regions of the country. NZCC has invited acclaimed handloom and handicraft artisans who include Shilpa Gurus, National Awardees, Sant Kabir Awardees etc. from various parts of the country.

The main objective of organizing this National level annual Mela are to showcase Indian handicrafts, handlooms, folk traditions including 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 and to provide an opportunity to the travelers from various parts of the country as well as foreigners to have a feel of Indian traditional rural ambiance.

Jitender Yadav said that this time tickets counters has been increased so that visitors may not face any type of problems. He said that total numbers of stalls this time is 170.

Prof.(Dr.) Rajinder Singh Gill, Director, NZCC, Patiala, said that NZCC has constructed approx. 170 ethnic stalls made from bamboos and ballies etc. for the forthcoming ‘8^th Chandigarh National Crafts Mela’ for craftspersons to display their creations. NZCC has created ambiance as per the theme of the Crafts Mela. Entry gates have been designed on the theme of Rajasthan. Food Court consisting 16 stalls has also been constructed for offering rich Indian traditional cuisines. Tunnels, Camels Rides and Rangoli have been introduced this time.

Besides showcasing art and crafts of the country, spectacular cultural programmes will be organized daily with the special emphasis on folk music, folk instruments and folk dances from all regions of the country. NZCC has invited approx. 300 folk dancers, folk instrumentalists and folk singers from all over the country.   Celebrated Star artists will perform daily in the evening at main stage during the Mela (list attached). Rangoli and Folk Painters’ Camp by renowned artists will be another attraction of this Mela. The youth especially the students will get an opportunity to know about the rich cultural heritage of our country. Many VVIPs/VIPs and other dignitaries from the Government of India are likely to visit the said Mela.