Surajkund crafts mela ends, records footfall of 13L visitors

jendra Ahlawat

Tribune News Service

Surajkund, February 16

The 34th Surajkund International Crafts Mela concluded here today with a formal cultural ceremony presided over by Governor Satyadev Narayan Arya.

Besides 1,250 craftsmen from the country, over 300 artisans from 30 countries participated in the mela, which had a footfall of over 13 lakh visitors during the fortnight.

Formally declaring the mela closed, Arya, who was the chief guest, said while the fair had been achieving new heights each year, it had become a wonderful confluence of art, culture and music due to unparalleled display of regional and international crafts, ensuring art and culture enthusiasts a treat, and shopaholics and foodies an opportunity of a life time.

The Governor said the association of Uzbekistan as partner nation had not only proved the international status of the mela but also proceeded to strengthen inter-country relations between India and Uzbekistan. Thanking the people of Himachal Pradesh, the theme state of the fair, he said while the culture of Himachal had its own identity, the fair had given a fresh angle to its rich cultural and religious heritage.

He gave away awards to craftsmen under various categories. Those who received the awards under Kalaratna, Kalamani, Kalanidhi and Kalashree categories are as.

Kalashree Award — Prabhakar Maharana, Gaura Matni Ramanaiah, Sanshat Basak, Ankit Verma, S Keshavan, Timorzada (Afghanistan), Homayan (Afghanistan) and Jamajoo Kashmir Faraz.

Kalanidhi Award — Gopal Prasad Sharma, Rajendra Prasad Bhondwal, Venkata Dev, Batam (Indonesia), Ravindra Thakur, Rajaram Shankar, Indu Sharma and Ruma.

Kalamani Awards — Sardar Hussain Farruja Amanova (Uzbekistan), Omprakash Malhotra, Kunjang Dolma, Mohammed Matlub, K Hirabhai Virjibhai Chauhan, Narotam Ram Pradesh, Anoop Rai, Rimetiv Kraft Shibori and Vinod kumar Jangid.

Kalaratna Award — Mamayasupu (Uzbekistan) was honored for outstanding work in dress material.

Himachal Governor Bandaru Dattatreya in his address described the mela as a unique international event to show art and craft. Ambassador of Uzbekistan Feroz Arjiv and Tourism Minister Kanwar Pal Gujjar were among those present.