Splendid gathering of artisans! Toshali National Crafts Mela begins in Bhubaneshwar

News Bharati    16-Dec-2019
Total Views |
Bhubaneshwar, December 16: As an important cultural nerve centre of the country, Bhubaneswar hosts the Toshali National Crafts Mela at Janata Maidan every year. The 14th edition of Toshali National Crafts Mela began in State Capital Bhubaneswar on December 15. 
 
 
a_1  H x W: 0 x
The grand mela was inaugurated by Odisha Handloom, Textiles and Handicrafts Minister Padmini Dian. The rich handiworks by artisans, weavers & sculptors from different parts of India turns a crowd puller at the fair. Accompanied by the secretary, Handloom, Textile and Handicrafts Department, Nitin Chandra, the minister visited many of the stalls and looked into products. The ingaural evening witnessed an enchanting Odissi performance by Ilena Citarist and troupe. A special booklet on information regarding the fair, which was printed in Braile, was unveiled by dignitaries.
 
The Toshali fair will be opened every day from 11.00 AM to 9:30 pm. Cultural programmes will be hosted each evening between 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm, inviting eminent artists and troupes from different parts of the country as well as the state. The mela is expected to witness a footfall of 22 lakh people and products worth Rs 21.50 crore will be sold. 
The handloom expo at Janta Maidan hosted more than 380 stalls featuring rich handiworks. More than 400 artisans and weavers have participated at the fair which is scheduled to continue till December 27. More than 40 food stalls in the food court allured visitors who had a field day while tasting new items like chicken kheeri, egg idli and bamboo chicken among others.
 
“Our Handloom department is trying its best to develop the lives of artisans as well as of the handloom, textile and handicrafts. Our department will soon include 5Ts in all our work to ensure swift development, said Padmini Dian. 
 
 
 
This year, the mela will be Accessible, Inclusive and Sustainable (AIS), a differently-abled and senior citizens friendly event. A special help desk with the provision of wheelchair, designated parking space will be arranged for smooth movement and visit of differently-abled / senior citizens. Besides, this year, information on Toshali Crafts Mela 2019 will be printed in Braille and circulated to visually impaired visitors. A special baby care room will also available for mother and baby.
The lifetime achievement award was given to Shilpi Guru Banamali Mahapatra, State Handicraft award went to Brahmananda Maharana, Debendra Maharana and Suman Meher among others. Eight artisans received Kalakrutee Sanmaan. Mukund Meher received State Handicraft award with Rs 25,000 cash award and a certificate for Sarpa Bandhan Saree made of Tassar fabric.
 
Shilpi Guru Raghunath Mahapatra received Lifetime Achievement award with Rs 1 lakh in cash and certificate.