Bhubaneswar: The 18th annual National Toshali Crafts Mela, showcasing the best of handloom and handicraft products, will begin at Janata Maidan in Odisha capital on Friday.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is sheduled to inaugurate the fair.
The fair, providing a marketing platform to over 500 artisans from across the country, will remain open from 2.30 pm to 9.30 pm till December 26. It doesn’t require a ticket for entry.
While Janata Maidan is decked up for one of the most popular handloom and handicrafts fairs in Eastern India, around 250 stalls have been put up to showcase traditional crafts, textiles, artefacts, jewellery, home decors and furniture. There will also be a food court offering multi-cuisine and Odia delicacies, sources said.
The 17th edition of the fair with a theme pavilion on ‘Handlooms: Traditions and Trends’ was held in February this year and saw participation of 150 artisans and 110 weavers from the state.
The event is organised by State Institute for Development of Arts and Crafts (SIDAC) on behalf of Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha.
