The 37th Surajkund International Crafts Mela 2024 is set to begin on Thursday, Today, and will be inaugurated by the President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu. The event, continuing until February 18, will also be attended by Haryana Governor Sh. Bandaru Dattatreya, Chief Minister Sh. Manohar Lal, Union Minister of State for Heavy Industries Krishan Pal, Haryana Minister of Tourism & School Education Kanwar Pal, Haryana Minister for Higher Education Mool Chand Sharma, and MLA Badkhal Smt Seema Trikha, among other dignitaries.
Managing Director of Haryana Tourism Corporation, Dr Neeraj Kumar, who is also Chief Administrator of Surajkund Mela Authority, shared this information on Thursday. Approximately 50 countries will participate in this year’s Mela, with the United Republic of Tanzania being the ‘Partner Nation,’ bringing African colors and vibes to the event. The theme state is Gujarat, showcasing its unique culture and rich heritage through various art forms and handicrafts.
The Surajkund Mela promises an immersive experience featuring regional and international crafts, handlooms, customs, and culinary delights. Drawing over a million tourists annually, the Surajkund Mela stands as a testament to cultural exchange and celebration. Meticulous arrangements, including cleanliness, top-notch facilities, security, road infrastructure, lighting, electricity, sanitation facilities, and parking, have been ensured. The event will also feature captivating cultural programs daily.
Dr Neeraj Kumar mentioned that this Mela was first hosted in 1987 to showcase the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms, and cultural heritage of India. A benchmark was set in the history of Surajkund Crafts Mela as it was upgraded to an international level in 2013. In 2023, more than 40 countries from Europe, Africa, and Asia participated in the Mela.
This year, the eight North Eastern states, ‘Astalakshmi,’ are participating as the Cultural Partners. All eight states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura – have come together under one umbrella to present a never-before-seen garland of art, craft, cuisines, and performing arts. Various day performers will enthrall the visitors, such as Bhangra from Punjab, Bihu from Assam, Barsana ki Holi, Lok Niritya from Haryana,
Jamakda from Himachal Pradesh, Live Demonstration of Hath Ki Chakki, and the ever-famous Behrupiyas, who will keep the crowds entertained with their enchanting talent and showmanship within the Mela ground. Evening cultural performances during the Mela fortnight will include eclectic performances from bands like Parikrama, bhakti performances by Methali Thakur, sufi performances by Padama Shri Ustad Ahmed Hussain and Ustad Mohammed Hussain, Classical Gujarati folk by Geeta Rabri, North Eastern Bands, International Fusion, tunes of Kailash Kher, Punjabi pop performance by Daler Mehndi, and enthralling dance & song shows of Gujarat, Tanzania, and other international artists.
Spectators can catch all the action and excitement at the Chaupal -I from 6:00 pm onwards. According to MD Tourism Dr Neeraj, a family from Haryana is going to live in a specially-created ‘Apna Ghar’ to showcase the authentic lifestyle of the state. ‘Apna Ghar’ gives visitors a chance to experience the lifestyle of the people of the state and also provides them a chance to interact and learn about their culture. Apna ghar will showcase traditional earthenware, utensils, etc., and craftsmen will give a live demonstration of these traditional crafts. Not only Haryana but Gujarat has also created an Apna Ghar to showcase the traditional lifestyle of the Gujarati household.
He said that keeping pace with Information Technology (IT) advancements, Mela entry tickets can be booked online through Bookmyshow.com, and easy parking through technological innovations of Smart parking. Payment will be Fast Tag-enabled and cashless. Visitors will be able to book parking in advance for a completely hassle-free experience of the Mela. The Art and Culture department will showcase traditional and cultural artists like Kacchi Ghodi, Stick walker, Kalbelia, Behrupia from Rajasthan, Kangri Nati from Himachal, Bihu from Assam, Bhangra, Jindua, Jhoomer from Punjab, Chapeli from Uttarakhand, Barsana ki Holi from Uttar Pradesh, Wangia from Meghalaya, Sambhalpuri Odisha, Badhai from Madhya Pradesh, and much more.
As a corporate social responsibility initiative, the Surajkund Mela Authority provides a 50% rebate on the entry tickets to differently-abled persons, senior citizens, and serving defense personnel and ex-servicemen.
Exciting and innovative competitions will be organized for school students across the Mela duration. An Exporters and Buyers Meet is organized during the Mela fortnight that offers a ready support system for crafts persons to access and tap the export market. To beef up security arrangements, more than 100 CCTV cameras have been installed in the Mela ground along with 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. A complete ban is imposed on plastic/polythene bags within the Mela premises, Dr Neeraj added.