Curtains on national crafts mela at Chandigarh's Kalagram

On the last day of the 15th Chandigarh National Crafts Mela, jointly organised by the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) and the UT Administration, gung-ho mela freaks from across the tricity and elsewhere, thronged in thousands to savour the fascinating folk flavours of art, culture, cuisines at the magnificent show of cultural diversity of India at Kalagram.

The morning and evening stage performances featured folk dances of various states — Rouf (J&K), Chhapeli (Uttarakhand), Ghoomer (Haryana), Bihu (Assam), Kalbelia (Rajasthan), Jagarna (J&K), Jhijhia and Bhangra (Punjab). The evening segment comprised Jhumar (Punjab), Raibenshe (West Bengal), Jhijhia (Bihar), Mathuri (Telangana), Chakri (Rajasthan), Dhangari Gaja (Maharashtra) and Dhamali (J&K).

The routine ground performances — “Kachhi ghodi” (Rajasthan), “Nachar”, Baazigar party (Punjab), and “Been-Jogi”, “Nagada” (Haryana), drew huge plaudits from visitors at the mela.

Music lovers enjoyed a fascinating folk flavours of various regions, including the singing by Murli Rajasthani, Punjabi folk orchestra and Malwai giddha by Major Singh and troupe and Punjabi folk singing by Bobby Sidhu, from 3.30 to 5.30 pm.

On the occasion NZCC Director, Mohd Furqan Khan, the guiding light behind the initiative, expressed his deep gratitude to visiting guests for making the 15th Chandigarh National Crafts Mela, a big ticket event, by opting for handicraft items and supporting the artisans to secure their livelihood.

He thanked the Governor of Punjab for his astute patronage and the who’s who of the Chandigarh Administration and others for making the mela a huge success. He also thanked the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, Engineering Department, Lalit Kala Akademi, Chandigarh, journalists and editors of the print and electronic media and social influencers, invitee artistes, artisans, coordinators and members of the NZCC staff, and last but not least residents of the tricity.

Enthusiasts made the last day, being Sunday holiday, a hop and happening as they went on shopping spree, making bulk purchases of a surfeit of handicraft items on display at the mela.

Foodies had a field day as they continued to enjoy a range of lip-smacking treat of traditional cuisines and culinary delights from various regions.

The choosy few among others, headed straight to stalls showcasing woollen garments, trendy artificial jewellery, sarees and suits, kids’ winter wears and other apparel.

Popular Punjabi folk singer Amrit Maan, a heartthrob of the young and the old, was the star singer of the concluding evening, who sang his heart out to a packed mela grounds. Some of his hit numbers he doled out included “Baapu teri pugg di pooni... (from his album “Baapu”), “Maa meinu pata nahin si chhoti umar door hi tethon hona...” (from his another hit album “Maa”), among others. He also rendered Diljit Dosanjh’s iconic number “Born to shine”, the lyrics of which were written by him.