Chandigarh to hold north-east crafts mela

CHANDIGARH - With the theme of north-east India, the ‘Chandigarh National Crafts Mela’ kick-started here Tuesday amidst much fanfare and beating of drums.

Chandigarh administrator and Punjab Governor Shivraj Patil inaugurated the mela, which will continue till Nov 4.

North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) has created a village with the themes of eight north-eastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura.

Over 250 artists have gathered here to participate in the gala event.

“In India, we are the inheritors of a great historical experience in organising a multi-lingual, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, multi-caste and multi-regional society. This event has been conceived and planned to promote a better understanding and to unify our diverse and rich cultural ethos to demonstrate the strength of India,” said Patil.

“It provides a right platform to the artists and artisans of the north-east region to project their rich cultural heritage. These events also serve as unifying force for the country, as artists from different parts of the country meet here and share their ideas, cultures, food and values,” Patil added.

The entry tickets will priced at Rs.5 and Rs.10 for children and adults respectively.

Ram Niwas, Chandigarh home and tourism secretary, said: “This mela is designed on the pattern of the famous Surajkund Mela. We are expecting thousands of domestic and international tourists.”

“More than 200 national and state awardees and over 300 folk dancers from across the country will participate in this mela. There will be vibrant dance performances by folk artistes, stalls of mouth-watering cuisines and artifacts from all parts of the country will be displayed,” he added.