Guv honours folk artistes, launches book at crafts mela

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria visited the 15th Chandigarh National Crafts Mela on its 8th day today.

During the visit, the Governor launched a book titled ‘Naatya Shastra’ by Dr Rajesh Kumar Vyas and also honoured four senior folk artists of various states with Rs 2.5 lakh each and two youth folk artists with Rs 1 lakh. The mela, jointly organised by the North Zone Cultural Centre and the Chandigarh Administration, continued to showcase a variety of cultural performances, artisanal crafts and traditional cuisine, offering visitors an immersive experience of India’s diverse cultural heritage.

The Governor congratulated the North Zone Cultural Centre and the administration for providing a national platform where artistes, artisans and cultural enthusiasts come together. He added that festivals like the crafts mela played a vital role in promoting unity, preserving artistic traditions, and strengthening the cultural fabric of the nation.

The Governor further said the crafts mela was much more than an exhibition — it served as a strong bridge between rural and urban India. Visitors not only admired handmade products but also learned about the cultural value and craftsmanship behind them. Applauding the participating artisans, he said they were the true custodians of India’s cultural legacy. He highlighted that initiatives such as Vocal for Local, Make in India, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat were helping preserve and promote traditional skills, ensuring they are carried forward to future generations.

He also appreciated the efforts made to involve schoolchildren, promote cultural learning and inspire the younger generation to take pride in India’s artistic identity. Reaffirming full support from the administration for future initiatives, he encouraged visitors to support artisans by purchasing handmade products and contribute to strengthening rural livelihoods.

Describing the event as a representation of the spirit of Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat, he congratulated the award-winning performers and extended best wishes for the continued success of the mela. He also called upon the city residents to come to this the mega event and help promote the handicraft items crafted by artisans.

The evening witnessed a power-packed cultural performance by internationally acclaimed Punjabi folk-pop singer Manmohan Waris, whose energetic and soulful renditions including Kaleje Teer, Kalli Beh Ke Sochi Ni, and Do Tara Vajda We enthralled the audience and added to the festive spirit of the event.