BHUBANESWAR: Replicating the famous Surajkund crafts fair being organised near the national Capital, the Centre has come up with three similar annual festivals for State Capitals, including Bhubaneswar. The other two places are Hyderabad and Mumbai.

Following the first preparatory committee meeting for the festival here on Saturday that was chaired by Tourism Secretary Parag Gupta, an officer of the State Tourism Department said that the Ministry of Tourism sanctioned Rs. 1 crore for organising the mega event that was named Toshali national crafts fair. It would be held at the sprawling Janata Maidan in the city from February 17 to 28, he added.

Many stalls

The meeting was attended by representatives of the stakeholders, including the Development Commissioner of Handicrafts and Handlooms, the State Textiles Directorate, the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, the Bhubaneswar Development Authority, the Tribal Welfare Department, the Khurda district administration and hoteliers' bodies, it was learnt.

Focus on folk culture

With more than 200 stalls, the fair would showcase the products of a large number of national awardees from different corners of the country. Artisans from some SAARC countries were also being invited, the official said. The stalls would be designed like cottages to give the fair a rural ambiance, he added. The inaugural year would have Orissa as the theme pavilion.

Exhibition and sale of crafts products apart, the fair would showcase a variety of cultural programmes during the 12-day extravaganza.

While artistes of national repute were being invited to perform, thrust would be on Orissa's rich folk dance and music. Visitors would have a feel of the life and culture of rural Orissa.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail