Haryanvi dance at Natyashala, Surajkund Mela.
Surajkund (Haryana), February 14, 2013: The 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela was a cynosure for the visitors who witnessed the spectacular grandeur of the Mela. Delectable cuisines, intricately designed handicrafts and a glitzy display of handlooms amidst the buzzing environment of the Mela provided a perfect setting for a getaway to India. One could see the delight in the eyes of the craftspersons as every Work Hut was packed customers.
An Exporters & Buyers Meet was conducted with the help of ‘Export Promotion Council’ for Handicrafts, so as to facilitate the possibility of exploring the business opportunities for the exporters and craftspersons alike. The purpose of this Meet was to endorse various arts and crafts and made them available directly to the exporters and buyers without any help from ‘middlemen’ or ‘agencies’. It was a unique opportunity for the 80 craftspersons and weavers to present their products to the exporters. This initiative is particularly important for the artisans for educating them to improvise their product and skill to make their product acceptable and sellable.
Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) under the aegis of Development Commissioner (Handicrafts), Ministry of Textiles, Government of India is a non-profit organisation, which was established in the year 1986-87. It has created necessary infrastructure as well as marketing and information facilities, which are availed both by the member exporters and importers. The Council is engaged in promotion of handicrafts in India and project India’s image abroad as a reliable supplier of high quality handicrafts. Council’s continued pursuit of excellence and the objective of achieving the hallmark of quality assurance by extending excellent services to all the members and stake holders has led the Council to become an ISO 9001 : 2000 certified organisation.
The platform of 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela provided a podium for EPCH to advocate about quality and design improvement, technology upgradation and diversifying various products. They gave the craftspersons an opportunity to participate in various Fairs/Festivals (Melas) for handlooms and handicrafts. They also gave away various commercially viable information and assistance to members in developing and increasing exports. Booklets, pamphlets and brochures on successful entrepreneurship and manufacturing were distributed to each craftsperson present in the Meet.
Such endeavours help the craftspersons to make their product more viable for the commercial market, stated one of the craftspersons. This type of exchange also helps the craftspersons to work in sync with the modern sensibilities of the customer. The idea behind the Meet was to assimilate them in the mainstream life and provide better livelihood options.
Theartisans translate their imaginations into reality through their creations. Mohammed Javed of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, makes beautiful brass statues. “The creation of brass statues follows many processes like casting, engraving and buffing. It takes around one or two days whereas creation of big size statues takes around four to five days.” His collection includes elephants, Krishna, Ganesha and dancing dolls.
Karnataka artisan Ramamurthy, “Wood Carving is such an intricate art and different kinds of woods in their natural forms are used to create big size idols and cantilevers. Special vegetable colours are used paint them. Each piece takes at least six to eight months to be transformed into reality.” He has made statues of Gods and animals depicting various occasions of ancient times.
Hase Chittra and Kinhal art are two famous art works of Karnataka. Hase Chittra is done with rice paste on handmade sheet and Kinhal art are mural paintings made from a mixture of pebble powder and tamarind paste, which forms the base for the application of paint.
There are statues and ornaments made out of the bones and Nepali Kukri made of copper metal.
The Natyashala had Udaan band of Dubai and singer Kamal Joshi perform on Thursday evening. They performed to a packed audience and got a round of applause for their rocking melodies.
(photo-caption:The Surajkund Mela is set in a striking ambience.)