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 7th 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.
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