.The much awaited 4thedition of National crafts Mela brings bonanza of culture

Chandigarh, November 30, 2012: Marked by diversity and creativity artistic skill at its best, are being showcased by traditional rich craftsmen from all across the country, the fourth Chandigarh National Crafts Mela took off here on Friday.The mega event was inaugurated today by His Excellency Shivraj V Patil, Governor, Punjab and Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, in the presence of the Advisor to the Administrator Sh.K.K.Sharma, Principal Secretary to Governor of Punjab Sh.M.P.Singh, Finance Secretary Sh.V.K.Singh, Secretary Tourism Sh.D.K.Tiwari, secretary Cultural affairs Sh.Ajoy Sharma, Director Cultural affairs Smt Jaswinder Kaur ,Director NZCC D.S.Saroya and other senior officers of Chandigarh Administration. The Governor was welcomed by the tribal folk dancers from different regions of India at the entrance gate in a traditional manner.The entrance gate styled on tribal theme is 20 feet in heightdepicts the tribal heritage. The Chief guest accompanied by senior officers took a round of the Mela and was deeply impressed with the versatility of intrinsic art forms and skills that are displayed in over 120 stalls . He took keen interest in handicrafts and handlooms and appreciated the efforts of participating states in promoting various languishing arts of the country. The Chief Guest also witnessed the folk dances on the main stage .More than 100 artists across all part of the country gave a spectacular inaugural performances in ethnic dresses and folk music in the background.Fourth National Crafts Mela is a platform for the talented artists, painters, weavers, sculptors and craftsmen form all over India who execute and exhibit their creations and the arts and crafts and art-lovers who have flocked here on the inaugural day to purchase these artefacts and exhibits. Hundreds of folk artists and dancers from far flung areas of our country were specially called along with dance troupes, Around 22 states of India have joined hands to put up an unbelievable show of handlooms and 150 craftsperson as well as more than 200 artists from other states of India are participating in this year’s mega event.NZCC has invited acclaimed handloom/craft persons which include Shilpa Gurus, National Awardees, Sant Kabir Awardees with the assistance of Ministry of Textiles, Govt. of India and tribal crafts persons especially selected by Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India Limited (TRIFED), Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Govt. of India from all over the country. This year there is a special corner for craftspersons belonging to Chandigarh.The much awaited 4^thedition of National crafts Mela brings bonanza of culture, heritage and tradition being depicted in various art forms spread over ten days for art lovers and visitors coming to buy exquisite handicrafts and exploring the food and cuisines of different states.