Fair back with good fun and food

Karnataka is the Theme State at Surajkund Mela this year

The Surajkund Mela this time is a celebration of Karnataka’s art, crafts and culture. The 27th edition of the popular fair, rechristened ‘Surajkund International Crafts Mela,’ has Karnataka as its Theme State this year. The southern State is known for its exquisite handicrafts, handloom and cuisine.

Rajesh Joon, official spokesman for the mela, said, “We are extremely happy to have Karnataka as our focus State this year. Karnataka is getting the centre stage in this mela after a gap of 19 years, the last time they were our focus State being 1994. Karnataka has a rich tradition in paintings, sculpture making and pottery. We are sure they will attract many visitors to the fair.”

Minister for Tourism, Karnataka, Anand Singh added, “Karnataka is a traveller’s delight. We have a more vibrant culture than many other States in India, but we need platforms like the Surajkund Mela to make people aware of that. We will utilise this opportunity to create a brand image of the State among tourists in India. We are hopeful that it will encourage many to visit the land of Kannadigas.”

Karnataka Tourism is planning to go all out to create a virtual Karnataka at the fair. They will showcase their heritage monuments by designing entry gates and stages like Hampi, Belur, Jain Basadis, Bara Kamman (Bijapur), Hoysala, Tala Giri (Malnad) and Pattadakal. They will also have 20 monument miniatures, a mini golf course in the shape of Karnataka’s map, Devaraja Urs market and replicas of K Gudi Resort Loghut and The Golden Chariot.

Music, handloom (silks and khadi), handicrafts, horticulture, art forms, folklore and cuisines (Malnad, Kodava, Coastal, North and South Karnataka) of Karnataka will also be on display. Besides, there will also be a photo exhibition on the State.

A fashion show by Prasad Bidappa on 9th will be the highlight of the programme. It will be web casted live on a special micro-site Karnatakatourism.org/surajkund mela.

A representative of Karnataka Tourism said, “This scale of presentation is unprecedented and the Haryana Tourism organizers are also stunned. Nearly 200 people have been working for about 25 days on the various programmes and about 400 cultural artistes will perform. More than 100 craftsmen and women will display, demonstrate their wares throughout the mela. We will make sure that no other Theme State can replicate this scale in future.”