There are a lot of expectations from all things first - first day in school, first taste of ice-cream, your first salary, first trip overseas! So when the announcement of the first Chandigarh National Crafts Mela came about, expectations were bound to be high. Planned on the lines of the uber popular Surajkund Crafts Mela, this city fair organised by the Chandigarh Administration in collaboration with the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) will roll out from October 24 to November 2. According to the officials associated with the mega event, “the Mela promises to be like none other.” While statements like that can only take the curiosity levels higher, we got the man behind all the action, in this case Secretary, Home and Cultural Affairs, Ram Niwas, to tell us exactly what to expect a day prior to the Mela opening doors to everyone. “Since we aim to make the Chandigarh National Crafts Mela a part of the cultural calendar of the city, we have invited not only award-winning craftsmen to showcase their work but as many as 300 artists from various states of the country to perform all through the ten days,” listed out Niwas. Interestingly, two mobile cultural vehicles with dance troupes would also make their way around the city to generate both interest and excitement. Back at the fair, here’s what to look

forward to:

From the valley: Given the fact that the state of Jammu and Kashmir is the theme state at the Mela, you’ll be greeted by huge Shikaras housed in the middle of Kalagram. The fabricated versions will hold in them craftsmen and their work from Jammu and Kashmir. Also the inaugural evening will see artistes from the state, brought together by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy for Arts, Culture and Languages, Srinangar, entertain the gathering by way of folk dances and presentations. “Dances and folk music by ethnic groups of the state such as Dogri, Ladakhi, Pahari et al will also be showcased,” mentioned an official from the Srinagar-based Academy.

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