Surajkund International Crafts Mela: Haryana
This is a collection of articles archived for the excellence of their content. |
2016
The Hindu, February 1, 2016 05:32 IST
While Telangana is the theme State, 23 countries are participating in the event in 2016
The 15-day festival, jointly hosted by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, External Affairs and the Haryana government, will be formally inaugurated by Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar.
Addressing journalists at the chaupal in the Surajkund mela ground here, Sumita Misra, the Haryana Principal Secretary of Tourism and the Surajkund Mela Authority vice-chairperson said that many new initiatives have been introduced this year. According to him, these include more websites offering online tickets for the event, making the entry tickets available at over 30 Delhi Metro stations, special buses to Surajkund from different places, free ferry service from surrounding areas to the fair site and more public conveniences.
Dr. Misra also added that they took up with the Archaeological Survey of India the issue of keeping open the Sunpool, an ancient monument from which Surajkund derives its name, open to the mela visitors. Besides attracting over a million visitors each year, the mela has also helped revive the heritage crafts of the country, he said.
Dr. Misra further stated that 23 countries participate in the mela this year, including two focus countries — China and Japan. Some of these 23 nations are Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Thailand, Maldives, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam, Lebanon, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Malaysia.
The newly-carved State of Telangana is theme State of this year’s fair, which showcases its unique culture and heritage.
About 300 artistes from Telangana will perform different folk arts like oggudolu, chindu yakshaganam, gussadi, kommu koya, mathuri, chiruthala Ramayanam, kolatam, perini natyam, banjara, Lambadi and bonalu. Also, Telangana has constructed a permanent commemorative structure — the Kakatiya gate — at the main entrance of the fair. Besides this, three gates will display the State symbols of Telangana.
There will also be performances by international folk artistes from Japan, Congo, Egypt, Thailand, Maldives, Russia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan.
The mela ground is spread over 40 acre and houses about 864 work huts for craftspersons and a multi-cuisine food court. This year, visitors can relish mouth-watering cuisines, including authentic flavours of Telangana, Haryana, Punjab, sumptuous Mughlai, subtle aromas of the South and oriental flavours of Chinese along with Indian street food and other State specialities at the food court.
A family each from Haryana and Telangana are going to live in the especially-created ‘Apna Ghar’ to showcase the typical lifestyle of the area.
