National Crafts Mela -23
A cultural ‘dhamaal’ at Kalagram marks Day 8
CHANDIGARH, December 8
The sprawling Kalagram turned out to be place of hop and happening on Day Eight as thousands of Mela buffs thronged it to a part of the ongoing Chandigarh National Crafts Mela, jointly organised by the NZCC and Chandigarh Administration.
The key morning stage performances were folk dances of various states, Balti (Ladakh), Dogri (J&K), Rai Bense, participated in the India Got Talent Reality Show (WB), Thappattam (Tamil Nadu), Geetru (J&K), Chhapeli (UK), Hozagiri (Tripura), Lai Haroba and Thangta (Manipur), to name a few. The evening session had a slew of tribal and folk dance performances, including an engaging Ragini performance by Rakesh Bharaniya. Prominent among the dances were Machhi (Dadra and Nagar Haveli), Dhamali (J&K), Ghoomer (Har) Sirmauri Naati (HP), Cheraw (Mizoram), Wamgla (Maghalaya), Bihu (Assam), Mayur (UP) and Bhangra (Pb).
The daily ground performances for the day included Behurupiyas playing multiple characters Nachaar and Baajigar (Punjab) Nagada, Been Jogis artistes performed clad in their colourful traditional attires, et al. Their power-packed performances persuaded the audience to shake a leg and click selfies with them.
Shoppers were on cloud nine to see a range of traditional products to choose from. Among the handmade and handcrafted items on display were a range of pottery, including cups, plates, trays and toys, earthen pots, flower vases, crockery, cutlery, et al to replenish their kitchens. Pashmina, Yaak wool shawls, stols, gloves, mufflers, headbands from Ladakh, while Himachali staĺl had put up the traditionally knitted Kullu and Kinnauri caps and other winter garments were available for all categories of buyers from all parts of the county.
The food court housing some 20 stalls from various states virtually turned out to be a place of hop and happening with food lovers had so much to choose from a range appetizing cuisines and culinary wonders to gorge on at competitive rates.
Foodies had a field day to taste the traditional cuisines of various regions and know more about them and their cultural roots.
The special quiz session, in which 150 students from various government and non-goverment tricity participated. Ten students were declared winners of the contest. The contest is held daily for school children and others.
The results of the photography competition, which in all received 48 enteries, were declared. The proud winners of the competition were Amrendra Kumar, Anu, Seema Arora, and Diya.
Eminent members of the jury were Gurdeep Dhiman and Dr Bhupinder Brar.
The evening had a lot more to offer to music lovers, who defied the December chill to listen to the popular Punjabi singer Joban Sandhu, who doled out his favourite numbers.
The star performer of tomorrow evening (Dec 9) is the well-known Gurlez Akhtar-Kulwinder Kally duo. They are set to offer a spell-binding performance, belting out their hot favourite numbers.
