32nd Surajkund International Crafts Mela held in Haryana

The 32nd edition of Surajkund International Crafts Mela was held at Faridabad, Haryana.

Facts :

• It was formally inaugurated by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in the presence of Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar.
• It is annual cultural festival hosted since 1987 to showcase richness and diversity of the handicrafts and cultural heritage of India.
• Every year a theme State and a Partner Nation is chosen. Theme State is chosen with a view to promote and focus the art, craft and cuisine of the theme State whereas Partner Nation is chosen to showcases the best of that nation’s art, culture, traditions and heritage.
• This year Uttar Pradesh is theme state and Kyrgyzstan is the partner nation.
• For the first time in 2009, Egypt became the Focus Nation and the idea of introducing a country/nation as a Partner Nation was mooted. Thailand was introduced as the first Partner Nation during the 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela 2012.
• The Mela is organized every year by Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs Ministry.
• The 15-day festival showcases richness and diversity of handicrafts, handlooms and cultural heritage of the country.
• Traditional craftsmen (artists, painters, weavers and sculptors) from all parts of the country participate in this annual mela and showcase some of the most exquisite handlooms and handicrafts of India and culture. Handmade fabrics soaked in ethnic colours make an eye catching display for the visitors.
• The festival’s name Surajkund derives its name from ancient amphitheatre constructed in 10th century AD by Raja Suraj Pal, one of Tomar chieftains.
• This is unique monument was built to worship Sun God (Surya) and it resembles a Greek amphitheatre.
• This year Uttar Pradesh as theme state showcased its religious tourism, rural tourism and spiritual tourism apart from its art, culture and heritage.
• 29 countries also took part in this edition of Mela.
• It also showcased religious tourism circuit — such as Ayodhya, Kashi, Mathura apart from the art, culture, and heritage of UP.
• The girl students of government and government-aided colleges of Haryana will be given free entry to the Mela on weekdays, as a part of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign.
• 50 percent rebate on the entry tickets will be provided to the differently-abled persons, and senior citizens.
• In order to encourage youth participation, a discount of 50 percent on tickets is being given to college students on weekdays.

Objectives of Surajkund International Crafts Mela :

• To create a rural ambience for the foreign and domestic tourist to watch
• To educate patrons both from abroad, urban centres and educational institutes about the fascinating technique and skills involved in craft creation
• To Identify, nurture and preserve languishing crafts of the country and save it for posterity

By: Harman Sandhu