Administrator Launches Website of Sports Department Chandigarh

7th Day of Chandigarh Crafts Mela

Chandigarh, 28 January, 2016: The Chandigarh National Crafts Mela, a joint venture of Chandigarh Administration and the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), at Kalagram continues to draw huge crowds from far and near on the 7^th day today. The Mela, which offers a peep into the rich cultural heritage of the country, brings together under one umbrella artisans and craftsmen representing various state of India showcasing their talent. The weather gods rained warmth on the third consecutive day allowing free flow of Mela buffs, which enjoyed amid the sun shining even more brightly today.  

The day performances started with the traditional folk dance from Uttarakhand,  ‘Ghasiari’, followed by a Kashmir folk dance and ‘Zebro’, folk dance of Leh-Ladakh, a martial dance genre of Manipur – where performing artistes displayed their martial art through the dance sequence, which left the audience in awe and admiration. Chamba‘nati’, internationally acclaimed folk dance of Himachal Pradesh presented by artistes, was appreciated by the audience. ‘Dhadi jatha’ from Punjab, led by Mehar Sidique Idu, presented a song on the theme ‘Beti bachao, beti padao’, which received huge applauds.

On the seventh day , huge rush was witnessed at various stalls, including  those displaying ethnic artificial jewellery, designer crockery, a range of carpet bearing eye-catching designs, door mats, rugs, fine floor-spreads, handicraft and handloom items and other stalls. Curious shoppers stormed the stalls displaying a collection of winsome terracotta ceramic pottery with images of birds of all feathers, animals, horses and bovine. Food stalls offering a wide range of cuisines from Nagaland, Rajashtan, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Hyderabadi, Karnataka, Bihar and Punjab, et al, for incurable foodies, who relished treats of their choice.

Ground performers had a rich fare to offer to the visiting Mela buffs today. Artistes from Haryana performed ‘Bamrasia’, originally a ‘Brijbhumi’ dance, while Been-jogi artistes mesmerising the audience with their haunting rendition. A glimpse of a fusion of cultures, arts and crafts from remotest North-Eastern states well lived-up this year’s ‘’North to North East’’ (Kashmir to Kohima). On one corner of the Mela venue, divine notes of the ‘Bansuri’ (Flute) were emanating, the beats of ‘Dhol’ and ‘Nagadas’ persuaded onlookers to shake a leg. Rajasthani Kaachi-Ghori, Punjabi dances, Karnataka dance, ‘Gatka’ artistes performing daredevil fetes were appreciated by one and all. Sunny day today turned out to be day of rejoicing for kids, who enjoyed a joy ride in toy train, car, mobikes and swings in the merry-go-round. ‘Behrupiyas’ posing as mythological figures and joker received special attention.

In the evening segment of stage performances today had a rich fare of folk dances of Manipur, Nagaland and other states, which the music lovers hugely enjoyed. The star performers of the evening were renowned folk singers Gulrej Akhtar and Kulwinder Kelly, who presented a power-packed programme of Punjabi folk songs, filmy and Sufi songs, one after the other. Kicking off the musical evening with Bulle Shah’s ‘kalaam’ ‘’Aawo ni seyio ral diyo ni vadhayian’, they went on to rustle out ‘Jinhe mera dil lutiya’ , ‘Tenu apna vanan de’, ‘Dowein jhajhran vi killi utte tang aye aan’ and many more.

On January 29 Hasya Kavi Sammelan by eminent poets of the region and elsewhere will keep the audience in splits, to be followed by a fusion of classical Kathak dance recital, by Pandit Sandeep Mahavir and group, from Mumbai from 6pm, onwards.