Crafting happiness

SD Sharma

Over the years the 15-day Chandigarh National Craft Mela has gained national recognition for showcasing diverse cultural traditions, handicraft, handlooms, folk music and dance of all regions.

The 11th edition of the mega event organised by the North-Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala and U.T. Administration, Chandigarh opens on November 15 at Kalagram.

Giving out the details, Sorabh Kumar Arora, director culture and Prof Saubhagya Vardhan, director NZCC, said that the theme this year is, West to East, featuring handicraft and foods from Rajasthan, Gujarat to Bihar and Odisha.

This year 200 stalls have been constructed at the site to display spectacular work of artisans and craftsmen of different states, including Chandigarh. The products would vary from clothes to jewellery to footwear to furniture to home décor items. The venue will have a food court focusing on the theme serving specialty and street foods from various states.

Cultural evenings have always been an important part of the fair. Folk performers like Been jogis, Baazigars, Nagada, Behrupias etc. will perform live during the Mela. Renowned celebrities of the Punjabi and Bollywood industry have been roped in for performances, which include Jasbir Jassi (November 15), Sonali and Roop Kumar Rathod (November 16), Kailash Kher (November 17), Manmohan Waris (November 18), Jassie Gill- Babbal Rai (November 19), Womenia Band (November 20), Kamal Heer ( November 21), Gurdas Maan (November 22), Kanwar Grewal (November 23) and Daler Mehendi (November 24), besides others.