Sanjay Rai,,
INVC,,
Surajkund,,
H.E. Shri Jagannath Pahadia, the Governor of Haryana, was the Chief Guest at the Closing-Cum-Prize Distribution Ceremony of 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela on Friday. Shri Ram Kishan Fouji, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism, Haryana and Shri Anand Singh, Minister of Tourism, Karnataka also graced the occasion.
They were ushered into the Mela escorted by Shri Vijai Vardhan, Finance Commissioner-cum-Principal Secretary, Tourism Haryana and Vice-Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority; Shri Anand Mohan Sharan, Director General, Tourism Department, Haryana and Member Administration, Surajkund Mela Authority and Shri K. Makarand Pandurang, Mela Administrator, among other senior dignitaries of Theme State — Karnataka and Surajkund Mela Authority from the Hoysala Gate.
The drumbeats and foot-tapping music gave the esteemed dignitaries a rousing welcome with much pomp and show from the participating cultural troupes of various countries and the states of India.
The Chief Guest was then taken around the Mela. He took keen interest in the spectacular display of matchless handicrafts and handlooms. He spent valuable moments interacting with the craftspersons including that of Partner Continent Africa and SAARC countries that participated in the Mela. Shri Pahadia showed keen interest in crafts and was delighted with the pastoral imagery of the Mela.
The Chief Guest then proceeded towards the Chaupal. A welcome address was read out by Shri Anand. M. Sharan. Besides welcoming the Chief Guest, Shri Vijai Vardhan read out the performance report of the 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela and highlighted that the Mela had become a repository of arts and crafts from across the globe.
He congratulated the authorities for successfully hosting more than 1,000 craftspersons from India and abroad and gave full credit to the District Administration, Faridabad and police authorities for managing record number of visitors this year. The footfall of foreigners had also increased by manifold.
He stated that the success of the Mela lies in the organisational skill and tireless efforts put in by Haryana Tourism as event manager, besides providing the visitors with a more safe, secure and pleasurable experience in Mela. He further added that the Mela had over the years become a commercially viable option for hundreds of craftspersons to maintain their livelihood. Nonetheless, they brought out the best of their arts and crafts and displayed them in this Mela.
Some scintillating cultural performances were also staged to entertain the Chief Guest, dignitaries and audiences at the closing ceremony function.
Shri Arvind Jadhav, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Karnataka also expressed that this endeavour will give Indian arts and crafts a global recognition.
Shri Ram Kishan Fouji highlighted the initiatives taken during the 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela that make this Mela so popular. Shri Anand Singh thanked Haryana government for the opportunity given to Karnataka, which served as a national platform for the state to display its arts and crafts, besides opening new avenues for mutual understanding and cooperation between the two states. He congratulated the Haryana state for organising such a big event.
Hon’ble Governor was thereafter invited to give away the Kala Mani, Kala Nidhi and Kala Shri awards to outstanding craftspersons. Parampragat award was awarded by Karnataka state.
Also, the Governor commended the efforts of Surajkund Crafts Mela Authority for extending a platform to craftspersons from participating countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Thailand besides Eurasian and African countries for also displaying their cultural amalgamation. He announced the formal closure of the Mela.
A host of new initiatives were taken to make the Mela more exciting and people-friendly. This year, the Karnataka Day and Sri Lanka Day were celebrated on 9th February and 12th February respectively with much enthusiasm. The facilities like e-ticketing was introduced for the first time, also battery-operated carts and 50 percent discount to differently-abled, defence personnel and senior citizens along with free entry for freedom fighters and war widows were extended during this edition.
Karnataka — the theme state of the Mela for the second time after a gap of 18 years — lent a unique touch to this mega event with an impressive display of exclusive crafts and vibrant performances. The Mela ambience — various moods of sun and dance forms of peacock adorning every corner of the premises were a big pull factor this time, which was also in tune with the tradition of Haryana Tourism Corporation that has its resorts named after birds. ‘Sun’ was predominantly used as a sign of prosperity and its various moods were shown to signify its importance in society.
Surajkund International Crafts Mela has also embodied the amalgamation of cultures of various nations. The Mela has gone international this year with the participation of 20 countries and has been further enriched by participating of various foreign cultural troupes.
The Mela had a lot to offer, a photography competition was held for amateurs and professionals. Also an Exporters and Buyers Meet was organised with the help of Export Promotional Council. The scintillating cultural programmes at Natyashala sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, ICCR- New Delhi, Theme state- Karnataka and the Cultural Affairs Department, Haryana make the Mela a wholesome treat for one and all.
Snapshot of the 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela
No. of artisans participated: 1,217 (213: DC Handicrafts, 118: DC Handlooms, 12: Rural Tourism, 75: Karnataka—the theme state, 552: Mela Authority, SAARC+SEWA: 62 and SABAH: 21)
No. of sponsored artisans: 164 (National Backward Classes Finance Development Corporation, National Safai Karamchari Finance Development Corporation and National Scheduled Caste Finance Development Corporation have 20 artisans each. National Handicap Finance Development Corporation and National Trust for Social Justice and Empowerment have five artisans each. NABARD from Finance Ministry has sent 25 artisans. Minority Finance Development Corporation under the Ministry of Minority Affairs has sent 15 artisans. Footwear Design and Development Corporations from Ministry of Commerce and Industry sponsored 3 artisans. Khadi Village Industries Corporation (KVIC), Ministry of MSME has sponsored one stall.)
No. of foreign countries: 20
No. of foreign craftspersons: 76 (Rwanda: 3, Namibia: 11, Egypt: 2, Sri Lanka: 16, Afghanistan: 7, Bhutan: 4, Nepal: 4, Turkmenistan: 5, Thailand: 5, Afghanistan: 4; Bhutan: 4, Bangladesh: 5, Nepal: 3 and Pakistan: 5)
No. of foreign cultural performers: 120 (14: South Africa, 18: Namibia, 14: Egypt, Tunisia: 9, Guinea: 10, Congo: 10, Sri Lanka: 12, Tajikistan: 15; Kyrgyzstan: 14; Peru:4
No. of cuisines (food): 36 (Mughlai, North West, Chinese, Continental, Italian)
No. of foreign cuisines: 4 (Afghanistan, Pakistan, Rwanda and Sri Lanka)
Awards at the Surajkund Crafts Mela enshrine the history of the event. For earning these awards the craftspersons had to win the appreciation of the masses and the critics alike. Following are the award descriptions and the names of the craftspersons who have been awarded in the ceremony:
KALA MANI AWARD :- is the honour bestowed on the craftsperson for their inimitable skills in arts and crafts.
- Dwarka Parsad
- Ishwar Naik
- Mohan Lal
KALA NIDHI AWARD :– is an award bestowed on the craftsperson for very skilled and profound works in their crafts.
- Sinde Sri Ramulu
- Jagat Ram Dewangan
- Suraj Sharma
- Dhani Ram Jhorka
- Subhash Rabi Das
- Mohd. Unus
KALA SHRI :– is an award bestowed on craftsperson for innovation in their crafts.
- Smt. Sonia Bajaj
- Pankaj D. Makwana
- Om Parkash Bind
- Kanhayia Lal Prajapati
- K. Kenchaiah
