Curtains go up on the 30th Surajkund International Crafts Mela

Addressing a galaxy of mediapersons at the Chaupal, Surajkund Mela Ground, Faridabad, Dr Sumita Misra, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of Haryana and Vice Chairperson, Surajkund Mela Authority stated that the 30^th Surajkund International Crafts Mela-2016 will be inaugurated by Shri Manohar Lal, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Haryana on 1^st February, 2016 at 11.30 pm in the august presence of Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism & Culture, Government of India; Shri Krishan Pal, Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India; Shri Azmeera Chandulal, Tourism Minister, Telangana; Shri Ram Bilas Sharma, Tourism Minister, Haryana; Smt. Seema Trikha, Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Tourism & Hospitality, Haryana; Sh. Dharmendra, Former M.P. & Honorary Ambassador, Haryana Tourism; Shri Vipul Goel, MLA, Faridabad; Shri Mool Chand Sharma, MLA, Ballabhgarh and many other dignitaries will grace the occasion.

The Surajkund Crafts Mela was hosted for the first time in 1987 to showcase richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and the cultural heritage of India. Jointly hosted by the Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, External Affairs and Government of Haryana, this festival has come to occupy a place of pride and prominence on the international tourism calendar for its display of crafts, culture & cuisine of India in aesthetically created ambience.

Dr Misra further stated that besides attracting over a million visitors each year, the Mela has also helped in reviving the heritage crafts of India. This year, many new initiatives have been introduced like more websites offering online tickets for the Mela,making Mela tickets available at over 30 Delhi Metro stations, special buses to Surajkund from different places, free ferry service from the surrounding areas to the fair site and more public conveniences. Dr Misra also stated that they diligently took up the matter with the Archaeological Survey of India to keep the Sunpool, an ancient monument, from which Surajkund derives its name, open for the visitors to the Mela.

A benchmark was set in the history of Surajkund Crafts Mela as it was upgraded to an international level in 2013. In 2015, 20 countries from Europe, Africa and South Asia participated in the Mela.

Sh Vikas Yadav, Managing Director, Haryana Tourism Corporation and Chief Administrator, Surajkund Mela Authority stated that this year about 20 countries are expected to be a part of the Mela, which include two focus countries — China and Japan. There will be enthusiastic participation from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Thailand, Maldives, Russia, Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam, Lebanon, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Malaysia.

The newly-carved state Telangana is ‘Theme State’ of this year’s Surajkund International Crafts Mela, which is showcasing its unique culture and rich heritage in an impressive manner. Telangana has constructed a permanent commemorative structure, the Kakatiya gate at the main entrance of the Mela. Other than this, there are three gates displaying the state symbols of Telangana. About 300 artistes from Telangana will be performing different folk arts like Oggudolu, Chindu Yaksha Ganam, Gussadi, Kommu Koya, Mathuri, Chirutala Ramayanam, Kolatam, Perini Natyam, Banjara, Lambadi, Bonalu.

To enliven the visitors’ mood, scintillating performances will be presented by international folk artistes from Japan, Congo, Egypt, Thailand, Maldives, Russia, Vietnam, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan. A variety of dance forms during Day Performances will be staged by folk artistes of North Zone Cultural Centre and other Zonal Cultural Centres, like Jabro & Rouff of Jammu & Kashmir, Panthi of Chhattisgarh, Dholu Kunitha of Karnataka, Goti Pua of Odisha, Bihu of Assam, Sirmouri Nati of Himachal Pradesh, Kalbelia & Chakri of Rajasthan, Chhapeli of Uttarakhand, Chhau of Uttar Pradesh, Gidha & Bhangra of Punjab, to name a few, at the open-air theatre, ‘Chaupal’, within the Mela ground.

Enthralling evening cultural performances during the Mela fortnight will entertain the visitors to the hilt. Enjoy rib-tickling Hasya Kavi Sammelan by humourist Surinder Sharma and five other renowned poets, resonating qawwalis by Amar Lata & Nazim Naza, soulful performance by famous singer Kamal Khan, mesmerizing Haryana Day celebrations, pulsating performance of Punjabi singers Jassi Gill & Babbal Rai, mellifluous singing of Rinku Kalia besides adrenaline-rushing dance & song shows of Telangana, Focus Countries and international artistes. Catch all this at the Chaupal from 6.00 pm onwards.

        The Mela ground is spread over 40 acres of land and houses about 864 work huts for craftspersons and a multi-cuisine Food Court, which is immensely popular with visitors. This year, visitors can relish mouth-watering cuisines including authentic flavours of Telangana, Haryana and Punjab, sumptuous Mughlai, subtle aromas of the South and oriental flavours of Chinese along with Indian street food and other state specialities at the Food Court. Also, state-owned Institutes of Hotel Management of Faridabad, Kurukshetra and Panipat would dish out various ethnic delicacies.

        A family each from Haryana and Telangana are going to live in specially-created ‘Apna Ghar’ to showcase the typical lifestyle of the area. ‘Apna Ghar’ of Haryana also displays most popular sports of the state such as boxing and wrestling. To promote women empowerment, the ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign will also be showcased in the Apna Ghar with women in different roles — boxer, milkmaid & homemaker.

Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism have commissioned consultants Subrata Debnath & Dr. Anamika Biswas of Creative Dimension, Kolkata to lend the Mela grounds a special ambience to showcase the vibrancy and charm of rural India, five seasons and expressing gratitude to Mother Nature. The five seasons have been showcased through five windows — flowers and butterflies symbolising Spring, splendid sun and sunflowers signifying Summer, cloudy sky & rain representing monsoon and similarly trees in fall colours denoting Autumn and snow clad trees & reindeers indicating Winter. Each zone also carries a colour code — Green, blue, orange, red & white in the form of designer buntings on the trees and workhuts.

       Both Chaupals (amphitheatres) have been imparted a folk theatre look with pillars adorned with masks and decorative ceilings. The Food Court has been highlighted with the act of child Lord Krishna stealing butter from haandi created with 3D figures. An 8-feet clock made from cane murhas will be another added attraction. Interestingly, ethnic, traditional &sustainable material has been brought into use to design elements such as bamboo for gates & pole lights; cane & metal tokris as diyas and standing lights, fabric for buntings, kites and other props.

The Mela is open from February 1-15, 2016, daily from 10.30 am-8.30 pm.

               

Major highlights of the 30^thSurajkund International Crafts Mela-2016

·        Keeping pace with the Information Technology (IT) advancements, the Mela entry tickets can be booked online on www.haryanatourism.gov.in, bookmyshow, buzzintown, eventshigh, townscript and explara.

·        Mela entry tickets are available at 31 Delhi Metro stations located at strategic locations.

·        A mobile application by the name ‘Surajkund Mela’ has been launched for smartphones iOS (Apple) and Android operating systems, which can be downloaded for free and gives all details about the Mela.

·        The girl students of government and government-aided colleges of Haryana will be given free entry to the Mela on weekdays, as a part of ‘Beti Bachao Beti Padhao’ campaign of Haryana government.

·        As a corporate social responsibility initiative, the Surajkund Mela Authority provides 50% rebate on the entry tickets to the differently-abled persons, senior citizens and serving soldiers.

·        To encourage youth participation, a discount of 50% on entry tickets is being given to college students on weekdays on the production of valid ID cards.

·        The payment of Mela entry tickets can be done through payment gateway of HDFC and Axis Banks.

·        Among other major attractions, there will be Helicopter Ride for visitors to enjoy the aerial view of the Mela.

·       On 13^th February, Telangana will present a Fashion Show, which will showcase the splendour of the state’s handlooms and weaving styles.

·       A free ferry service for visitors has been extended by Shuttl.com throughout the Mela fortnight from different areas of Faridabad and metro stations in the vicinity.                               

·        A special amusement zone with swings and rides has been created for wholesome family entertainment.

·        A number of competitions to be organised for school students.

·        Exporters and Buyers Meet is organised during the Mela fortnight that offers a ready support system for craftspersons to access and tap the export market.

·        To beef up security arrangements, CCTV Cameras have been installed in the Mela ground along with the Night Vision Cameras. A large number of security personnel, including women guards, are deployed in the Mela premises to prevent the occurrence of any untoward incident or mishap.

·        Golf Cart and Battery Operated Rickshaw are available on request, for facilitating the movement of senior citizens and differently-abled persons.

·        Disaster Management Plan/ Evacuation Plan is in place with state-of-the-art medical, fire and disaster management facilities at all crucial points.

·        Bank, dispensary, Mela police control room & CCTV control room are located at a centralized location so that visitors and participants can have easy access to these essential services.

·        Additional public conveniences like five mobile toilet vans and environment-friendly e-toilets have been installed at the Mela premises.

·        Corporate Social Responsibility Research Foundation, New Delhi, has installed sanitary napkin vending machines at four ladies toilet blocks and the distribution will be to visitors free of cost.

·        Two water ATMs offering mineral water have been installed within the Mela premises.

·        A complete ban is imposed on the plastic/polythene bags within the Mela premises.

    History of Surajkund

        Surajkund derives its name from the ancient amphitheatre Sunpool constructed here in the 10^th century AD by Raja Suraj Pal, one of the Tomar chieftains. This is a unique monument as it was built to worship “Surya” the Sun God and it resembles a Greek amphitheatre. The Mela is indeed a tribute to the richness and diversity of the cultural heritage of India, organised in the backdrop of this magnificent monument.

       To highlight the splendid heritage of the ancient Sunpool, Archaeological Survey of India will keep the entry to the monument open for visitors during the Mela timings and it will be kept clean and tidy to promote its beautiful heritage as a part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan.

    How to reach Surajkund?

    During the Mela fortnight, special to and fro bus services are available to Surajkund from ISBT Delhi, Shivaji Stadium, Gurgaon and Faridabad.

             Special Mela express buses will offer smooth connectivity from the far flung areas of Haryana like Loharu in Bhiwani district and Satnali in Mahendergarh district to Surajkund. Also a bus service from Ballabgarh to Tughlakabad metro station via Surajkund and Tughlakabad metro station to Ballabgarh via Surajkund, Badarpur metro station to Surajkund and back is available.

       Metro services are also available from Central Secretariat till Badarpur via Sarita Vihar and Mohan Estate. Badarpur locality is close to the interstate border between the city of Faridabad and Delhi. 

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