Curtains go up on the 31st Surajkund International Crafts Mela

Addressing a galaxy of mediapersons at the Chaupal, Surajkund Mela Ground, Faridabad, Shri Vinod Zutshi, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and
Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority stated that the 31^st Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2017 will be inaugurated by Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Haryana on 1^st February, 2017 at 11.30 pm in the august presence of Shri Ram Bilas Sharma, Tourism, Hospitality, Education, & Languages, Technical Education, Archeology & Museums Minister, Haryana; Shri Amar Kumar Bauri, Hon’ble Tourism, Culture, Art, Sports, Youth Affairs, Revenue & Land Reforms Minister, Govt. of Jharkhand; His Excellency Hatem Tageldin, Ambassador of Egypt to India, Delhi.  Shri Krishan Pal, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India; Sh. Shri Vipul Goel, Industries Minister, Haryana; Smt. Seema Trikha, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism & Hospitality, Haryana;  Shri Jagdish Chopra, Chairman, Haryana Tourism Corp., Shri Mool Chand Sharma, MLA, Ballabhgarh and other distinguished dignitaries will also grace the occasion.

The Surajkund Crafts Mela was hosted for the first time in 1987 to showcase richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and the cultural heritage of India. Jointly hosted by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, External Affairs and Government of Haryana, this festival has come to occupy a place of pride and prominence on the international tourism calendar for its display of crafts, culture & cuisine of India in aesthetically created ambience.

Shri V S Kundu,Addl. Chief Secretary, Tourism, Government of Haryana and Vice Chairman, Surajkund Mela Authority stated that besides attracting over a million visitors each year, the Mela has also helped in reviving the heritage crafts of India. This year, many new initiatives have been introduced like ‘BookMyShow’ offering online tickets for Mela,

making Mela tickets available at Delhi Metro stations, special buses to Surajkund from different places, free ferry service from the surrounding areas to the fair site and more public conveniences. Shri Kundu further added that they diligently took up the matter with the Archaeological Survey of India to keep the Sunpool, an ancient monument, from which Surajkund derives its name, nice and tidy for the visitors to the Mela.

A benchmark was set in the history of Surajkund Crafts Mela as it was upgraded to an international level in 2013. This year, more than 20 countries from Europe, Africa and South Asia are participating in the Mela; Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Tunisia, Mongolia, South Africa being the first timers.

Sh Sameer Pal Srow, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Corporation and Chief Administrator, Surajkund Mela Authority stated that this year lot of enthusiasm is shown by the participants of   foreign countries, which include participants from Partner Nation—Egypt. There will be enthusiastic participation from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Thailand, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon and Tunisia.

Jharkhand is ‘Theme State’ of this year’s Surajkund International Crafts Mela, which is showcasing its unique culture and rich heritage in an impressive manner. Jharkhand has constructed a permanent commemorative structure; Maluti Temple Gate situated in Santhal Pergana Region in the Mela near main Chaupal. Besides this, there are five temporary gates displaying the state symbols of Jharkhand. About 300 artistes from Jharkhand will be performing famous folk arts like Chhau, khaira, karsa, Paika.

To enliven the visitors’ mood, scintillating performances will be presented by international folk artists from Egypt, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, Tajikistan and   Kyrgyzstan. A variety of dance forms during Day Performances will be staged by folk artistes of North Zone Cultural Centre and other Zonal Cultural Centres, like Haryanavi Dances,  Bhagra & Gidda by Punjab Police Group, Badhai from MP, Brij ki Holi & Mayur dance from UP, Rathwa from Gujarat, Chapeni from Uttrakhand, Paika of Jharkhand to name a few, at the open-air theatre, ‘Chaupal’, in the Mela ground.

Enthralling evening cultural performances during the Mela fortnight will entertain the visitors to the hilt. Enjoy rib-tickling Hasya Kavi Sammelan by renowned poets, resonating sarod recital by Aayaan khan & Armaan Khan, Vibrant dances of Jharkhand, International medley by participating nations, Sufiana Kalam by Noora Sisters, Indian Classical performance by Padamshree Ranjana Gohar, Punjabi Singer Mohd Irshad, mesmerizing Haryana Swarna Jayanti celebrations by Mahabir Guddu & Harvinder Rana, and soulful performance of Vidya Shah besides adrenaline-rushing dance & song shows of Telangana. Catch all this at the Chaupal from 6.00 pm onwards every evening.

        The Mela ground is spread over 40.5 acres of land and houses about 1010 work huts for craftspersons and a multi-cuisine Food Court consisting of 36 Food Stalls, which is immensely popular amongst visitors. This year, visitors can relish mouth-watering cuisines including authentic flavours of Theme State Jharkhand, Lebanon, Haryana, Punjab, sumptuous Mughlai, subtle aromas of the South and oriental flavours of Chinese along with Indian street food and other state specialities at the Food Court. Also, state-owned Institutes of Hotel Management of Faridabad and Panipat would dish out various ethnic delicacies of Haryana in particular.

        A family each from Haryana and Jharkhand are going to live in specially-created ‘Apna Ghar’ to showcase the typical lifestyle of their states.  To mark Haryana Swarna Jayanti celebrations ‘Apna Ghar’ of Haryana also displays most popular sports of the state such as boxing and wrestling. To promote women empowerment, the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign will also be showcased in the Apna Ghar with women in different roles- distinguished women achievers in sports, boxer, milkmaid & homemaker.

Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism have commissioned consultants Moinish Garga of  Z Axis Design Consultants Noida to lend the Mela grounds a special ambience to showcase the vibrancy and charm of rural India and expressing gratitude to Mother Nature. Flowers and butterflies, splendid sun and sunflowers, cloudy sky & rain and similarly trees in fall colours made the entire Mela area vibrant & alive. Each zone also carries a colour code — Green, blue, orange, red & white in the form of designer buntings showcasing Haryana Swarna Jayanti Celebrations on the trees and workhuts.

       Both Chaupals (amphitheatres) have been imparted a folk theatre look with pillars adorned with masks and decorative ceilings. The Food Court has been highlighted with the cut outs of various seasonal fruits. Interestingly, ethnic, traditional &sustainable material has been brought into use to design elements such as bamboo for gates & pole lights; cane & metal tokris as diyas and standing lights, fabric for buntings, kites and other props.

The Mela is open from February 1-15, 2017, daily from 10.30 am-8.30 pm.