Toshali National Crafts Mela In Odisha Capital From Dec 28

Bhubaneswar: The 13^th Toshali National Crafts Mela-2018, organised by the State Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts Department in association with the Development Commissioner, (Handlooms) of the Ministry of Textiles will begin at the Janata Maidan in the Odisha capital from December 28.

Announcing this at a press meet here on Wednesday, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Handloom, Textiles & Handicrafts, Subha Sharma said that the artisans, weavers and sculptors from all over the country will exhibit their traditional and contemporary handicraft and handloom products at the Mela which will conclude on January 13.

The vision of the Mela is to offer an open forum to artists, artisans and connoisseurs for interaction. The idea is to strengthen the position of the weavers and artisans who are economically deprived by creating a market for their products and preserve and nurture the traditional art forms, handicrafts and handlooms of India. Another motive is to create awareness and educate people about the skills and creative intricacies involved in making the products.

Giving details about the event, Sharma said this year the Mela will accommodate 330 handicraft and handloom stalls out of which 50 weavers from different states will be sponsored by the Development Commissioner, (Handlooms) of the Ministry of Textiles while 150 artisans and 80 weavers of Odisha will be sponsored by the Directorate of Handicrafts and Cottage Industries (D.H. & C.I.), Odisha. Besides, 20 institutions/organisations involved in the development of handicraft and handloom will open their stalls.

A food court having 30 food stalls by exclusive hotels and restaurants will offer delicious multi-cuisine food to the visitors along with traditional Odia cuisine, she said.

The Mela will remain open every day from 2 pm to 9:30 pm.

Cultural programmes will be hosted each evening between 6 pm and 9:30 pm. It will have performances by eminent artists and troupes from Odisha and other states.

To add to the ambience, a theme pavilion has been conceptualised with the theme “Tantukruti”. The theme pavilion has been erected centrally. It will reflect the use of natural fibres in the making of handicrafts and handloom products and also depict various forms of nature transformed in Odishan handloom and handicrafts.

There will also be ATM counters, first-aid service, wheelchairs for senior citizens and a play zone for children at the Mela.

Government educational institutions/organisations related to handloom, textiles and handicrafts sector such as the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Bhubaneswar, Indian Institute of Handloom Technology (IIHT), Bargarh, Institute of Textile Technology, Choudwar, State Institute for Development of Arts & Crafts (SIDAC), Bhubaneswar and other institutions will open their stalls for awareness and to address queries of the students about the scope of fashion, textile education and career opportunity offered in the these sectors.

Apart from this, Govt of India organisations such as the National Handloom Development Corporation,  Textiles Committee, Weavers’ Service Centre, Odisha  Chapter and the State Tourism Department will also participate in the Mela. Live demonstration on various craft activity will be conducted by the students of Handicrafts Training Centre, SIDAC. New innovative handicraft products developed under the design development programmes will be showcased in the SIDAC stall.

“Around 21 lakh people are expected to visit the Mela this year and products worth approximately Rs 22 crore will be sold,” Sharma said, adding that a provision of Rs 3.46 crore has been made by the Handlooms, Textiles & Handicrafts (HT & H) Department to organise this mega event.

Last year, the Mela had witnessed a footfall of 20 lakh people and there was a business worth Rs 20 crore.