6^th day of the Chandigarh National Crafts Mela

Chandigarh, 27 January, 2016: People from far and near continue to throng the 10-day Chandigarh National Crafts Mela, jointly organised by Chandigarh Administration and North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) at Kala Gram  to enjoy the colours of the composite cultural heritage of the country under one roof. On the 6^th day today the Mela buffs in and thousands enjoyed the bright sunshine while taking a round of the ‘Mini’ India-cum-crafts Mela. 

The day performances included traditional folk dances and songs of various regions of the country. A jamboree of folk dances performed on the occasions included those of the states of Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Nagaland, Uttaranchal, which were highly appreciated by the audience. “Jindua’’, a tradition folk dance of Punjab was also presented on the occasion. Murli Rajasthani, a renowned folk singer enthralled the audience with hit Punjabi foot-tapping numbers.

An unprecedented rush was witnessed at various stalls, especially those displaying designer crockery, colourful carpets and rugs, handicraft and handloom material, and other stalls displaying ethnic and other hand-spun readymade garments. They were in great demand with the shoppers going on a brisk shopping spree choosing from a range of items.

Mela buffs enjoyed an extravaganza of cultures, arts and crafts, cuisine, folk arts of various regions, which lived up this year’s theme “North to North East’’(Kashmir to Kohima), with each ambassador of his/her state spreading the aura of their respective cultures. Mela enthusiasts appreciated the rare martial fetes of young ‘Gutka’’ artistes from Sanour (Patiala), Baajigars from Ferozpur district performed their awe-inspiring Acrobatic acts, while Been-artistes, Rajasthani Kaachi-Ghori performance earned kudos. While parents were on a shopping spree, their kids enjoyed a jaunty toy train, car ride and swings in the merry-go-round. Young and old were seen clicking selfies with the gaily-dressed folk artistes and ‘’Behrupiyas’’ posing as Hanumaan, Lord Shiva and other mythological figures.

Music lovers had their evening soaked in divine music, with Sufi singer Manak Ali presented some Sufi and folk numbers, followed by ‘Gaddi nati’, a popular folk dance and other dances of Himachal Pradesh. The star singer of the evening was renowned folk and Sufi singer Sardool Sikandar, who presented a power-packed programme of Punjabi folk and Sufi numbers on the stage, belting out his hit numbers, one after the other. The songs he rendered included ‘’Ikk teri akh kashni sohniye and many more. 

Tomorrow, January 28, Gulrej Akhtar and Kulwinder Kelly will present a programme of Punjabi folk songs in the evening 6:00 PM onwards.