Department of Public Relations, Chandigarh Administration www.chandigarh.gov.in Press Release

Chandigarh, October 29:- Without waiting for the weekend holidays ahead, people are flocking the 1 st Chandigarh National Crafts Mela like. The momentum to see the real Indian craft and art by the people is maintained and the Craft Mela has left a mark of perfect blend of cuisine, craft and culture on the minds of the visitors. To inculcate the values and importance of folk and culture of their Country in the minds of new generation, the Institutions have been bringing schoolchildren and College students to visit this mela. Orissa, famous for its, Jagannatha, Konark and Sun Temples not in India but abroad has exhibited a good number its art work made out of natural resources being located near to the costal side. Stall no 89 has colourful “Applique work” also known as piplee chandua in orhiya. “Patch work” art in the form of wall hangings, bags, Garden umbrella’s, Pouches etc. is worth looking. The huge wall hanging depicts a lot about its Orissi traditions. One can also look at the traditional and decorative products at the same stall made from terracotta. All products range from Rs 10 – Rs 3500. Shukant Sharma at stall no 74 has exclusive velvet bags and colorful huge garden umbrellas costing between Rs1500 – 3500. “Patachitra” a famous art of Orissa, made on palm leaf and depicts the mythological stories is available at stall no 75. It has excellent collection of masterpieces in the form of Palmfeaf puppet ,, paper masks, cowdunck toys, Ganjapa/playing cards. The black colour used in this art is made from the smoke emerged from burnt leaves smoke. Stall no. 69 is full of sea goods like shanks, Dakshavarti shank, Lakshmi Shank, Panchmukhi shank, Gau Mukh Shank, Narayan Shank and Moti Shank used in puja and rituals ceremonies. It ranges from Rs 5 – Rs 2,250. Artisan Narayan Pradhan has a beautiful collection of world famous Filigree silver in the form of accessories and jewelary. Stall 103 has good collection of handloom sarees, Dress Material; Silk sarees .Artsan Akshay has beautiful stone sculptures costs Rs 50 -6000.he says “ I make the sril;tures from the hard rock with the help of my tools”. The work takes long time since it involves lot of neatness”. West has its own heritage. Stall No 16 has weaved mats stuff like Door screens, Window screens, Folding chatayees, aasans, dinning table mats, runners, Magazine holders made out of natural grass and cotton. It has a special mat worth Rs. 15,000, which is softer than a silk saree. This mat takes 60 days to complete. Stall no 66, has an beautiful collection of Kaantha Embroidery sarees, Sarees, and Motka silk sarees. Stall no 71 has a rare collection of jewelary made of paddy and pulses whereas stall no 79 has clay model depicting the culture of . The Ist Chandigarh National Crafts Mela organized till 2 nd November, 2009, will bring out a special feature for the artisans participated in the Mela. Its has also been decided by the Chandigarh Administration to felicitate the best artisans in three categories i.e. ”kalamani”, “kalanidhi’ and Kalashri”. A committee of experts has been constituted to select the best work for these awards. The sixth day’s evening of the festival commenced with the sufi gayan by Dr. Mamta Joshi. Dr. Joshi has won Ist prize for 6 times in Youth Festival for classical songs. The chief guest of the evening was ADGP, Mr. S.K. Jain. The attraction of the evening was Folk Orchestra Competition, in which around 5 teams including one team of girls from different colleges participated. Artist of NZCC Idu Sharif mesmerized the audience by singing Sufiana songs.