26th Surajkund Crafts Mela commenced from 1st February, 2012. The Mela, which is of international repute, comes alive with rich mosaic of colours reflecting the wide spectrum of Indian heritage.
The State of Assam will be participating as the Theme State in Surajkund Crafts Mela for the second time. It earlier participated as a theme State in 1998 along with other sister States of North East India. The rich cultural heritage of Assam which dates back to 13th century AD made it a perfect choice as a theme State for 26th Surajkund Crafts Mela. A replica of ‘Rang Ghar’ has been renovated to radiate the essence of Assam in colours, customs and décor. The ‘Apna Ghar’ Assam which has been specially made with bamboo, opposite theme state pavilion, will habitat a family from Assam which will live there for the entire 15 day span where public would get a glimpse of the Assamese way of living. The State of Assam plays a vital role in the Indian heritage and is soaked deeply in culture and traditions and same will be reflected in the Mela this year and visitors will get a first hand feel of the handicrafts, handlooms, culture and cuisine of Assam.
The participation of Thailand as the Partner Nation will add to the international flavour and offer a rich amalgamation of Indian and Thai heritage. It has been decided by the Government of India that the country of which Head of the State is invited as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Celebration in New Delhi, would be the Partner Nation for the Surajkund Crafts Mela. The Mela will witness for the first time all the SAARC nations coming together on a single platform. Craftspersons and artists from partner nation-Thailand, SAARC counties-Nepal, Bhutan, Sri-Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Maldives, Afghanistan besides Eurasian counties- Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and South African country- Congo will create a mesmerizing effect with their arts and crafts in the Mela. Over 700 craftspersons from India and abroad most of whom are national & state awardees will make their presence felt in this 15 day long carnival.
Surajkund Crafts Mela has now become a commercially viable option for hundreds of craftspersons to maintain their livelihood. This opportunity of displaying their arts and crafts at a national platform opens up various other avenues for them. Nonetheless, they bring out the best of their arts and crafts and display them in the Mela. The Mela also facilitates the Annual Exporters & Buyers Meet where the craftspersons are face to face with the Exporters without any ‘middlemen’ in between. This gives the craftspersons a direct opportunity to improve and expand their artistic horizon.
Surajkund Crafts Mela has become one of the most important earmark events on the Indian Tourism calendar over the last 26 years. It showcases the fascinating display of exotic culture, ancient crafts & traditions and glimpses of a heritage that is legendary for its vitality. The popularity of this Mela can be judged by the fact that it has been inaugurated by various eminent personalities in the recent past like Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Hon’ble Chairperson UPA; Sh. Pranab Mukherjee, the then Union External Affairs Minister; Smt. Pratibha Devi Singh Patil, Hon’ble President of India; Sh. Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Hon’ble Vice President of India and Shri Subodh Kant Sahai, Hon’ble Union Minister for Tourism in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 & 2011 respectively.
Organized primarily under the aegis of the Ministry of Tourism, the Mela happens to be a collective and concerted effort of various agencies like Development Commissioners of Handicrafts and Handlooms and Ministries of Culture and External Affairs. Haryana Tourism and the Tourism Department of Theme State, Assam, jointly conduct and coordinate the arrangements of the Mela. Some of the best craftspersons and folk artists along with their products and skills converge from across the country to populate this 15 day long jamboree of Indian art, culture and traditions. This happens to be one of the most important and popular events in the annual national calendar of the Tourism industry organized in and around Delhi. The number of visitors that stood at around 8 Lacs last year is expected to increase this year.
Surajkund Crafts Mela started in the year 1987 but the concept of having a particular State/UT of India as a Theme Sate started from the year 1989. Since 1989, one State is projected as Theme State in the Mela. The selected Theme State has to construct a commemorative structure/Gate in the Mela ground. The replicas of all the theme States have been set up in Surajkund Mela ground reflecting the diversity of India. Thailand being the partner nation would add its own flavour in the Mela ground this year with its unique decoration. Nearly 600 work-huts have been fabricated in an area of 30 acres of land this year. Further, elaborate security, fire fighting and traffic arrangements have been made with the help of the District Administration. A separate enclosure has been designed as the ‘Food Court’ where variety of food and snacks will be made available. For offering quality snacks, food stalls have been set-up by the State owned Institutes of Hotel Management, Faridabad, Kurukshetra and Panipat. Theme State-Assam and the Partner Nation-Thailand will also be selling their cuisine in the food court.
Visitors can cherish a host of cultural programmes at both the Choupals and Natyashala. The cultural teams have been selected jointly by Surajkund Mela Authority, Theme State- Assam and Cultural Affairs Department of Haryana. In addition to this, cultural teams from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Congo have also confirmed their participation. Over 500 day performers will not only entertain the visitors but also infuse the required enthusiasm in the Mela.
SURAJKUND-THE VENUE OF THE MELA
Surajkund– the complex derives its name from ancient amphitheatre, Sun Pool. It dates to the 10th Century A.D. This was an epoch when tribal Chieftains were gaining supremacy. One clan that struck out in the chronicles of history was that of the Tomars. They were sun worshipers. Fascinated by the surrounding of this terrain, Raja Suraj Pal, one of the Chieftains, chose to build his stronghold here. A Sun Temple and a Sun Pool were designed. But times changed, and the clan vanished. The temple fell into disarray. But, the amphitheatre sun pool built as the sun careering westwards, continued to stand as it does even today. It is after this Sun Pool that the complex came to be christened Surajkund. Surajkund has been identified as an ideal suburban retreat because of the natural beauty of the Aravali ranges. The open basalt outcrop in one section, cupped a vast water body.
Keeping the Sun Pool as the centre, a large number of tourist facilities have been developed. To the left of the Sun Pool, alongside the ruins of the temple, stands Hotel Raj Hans. Adjacent to this is Sunbird Resort, another property with accommodation wings. Between the Sun Pool and Mela grounds lies the Natyashala, an open-air-theatre. Most of the States of India have participated in the Mela as Theme State. The replicas of all the Theme States have been set up in Surajkund Mela ground reminding the visitors about the diversity of India and thus converting the Mela ground as ‘Mini India’.
NEW INITIATIVES OF 26TH SURAJKUND CRAFTS MELA-2012
It has been decided that the country of which Head of the State is invited as the Chief Guest for the Republic Day Celebration in New Delhi, would be the Partner Nation for the Surajkund Crafts Mela. Accordingly this year Thailand has been introduced as the PARTNER NATION.
ASSAM is the Theme State this year. Assam had previously participated along with North-eastern States in the year 1998. A “Rang Ghar” was created as a permanent structure in the Mela ground. The same existing structure has been renovated and given facelift this year. A new concept of “Apna Ghar” of Assam with habitation and stay of Assamese family has been created to highlight the Assamese culture and way of life.
‘Apna Ghar’ of Haryana has also been created for the stay of a Haryanvi family to highlight the Haryanvi culture with its motifs and ambience.
All SAARC Countries are participating for the first time.
This year the SAARC Division of MEA has also engaged SAARC BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF HOME BASE WORKERS (SABAH), in association with SELF EMPLOYED WOMENS ASSOCIATION (SEWA) which is the ‘SAARC Initiated and SDF Funded Project of MEA for strengthening the livelihood initiative of home based workers in the SAARC Region’. Accordingly artisans from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Pakistan are participating in large numbers.
Three countries namely Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan of Eurasia Division of Ministry of External Affairs, Govt. of India are also participating with their cultural team and crafts persons.
The West Africa this year is having its representation through the participation of CONGO by sending culture artists and craftsperson.
Two Electronic Toilets have been newly introduced this year which is operated by putting a coin for opening the door which is totally hygienic and further has unique features such as Automatic flush, automatic washing of floor at regular intervals etc. The consumption of water is automatically regulated as per the requirement.
A rebate of 50% is being given this year to Differently Abled, Ex-servicemen, Serving Soldiers and Senior Citizens on Mela entry tickets. The Freedom Fighters would be given free entry.
Mela tickets are also available through online & offline E-ticketing.
A strict ban has been imposed on the use of plastic/polythene in the Mela area. The arrangements for the sale of non plastic carry bags on affordable rate have been made for the visitors as well as craftspersons.
“CHARKHA” which is a symbol of Indian Handloom has been given due prominence and respect by developing it as a feature at a prominent site.
Souvenirs on Surajkund Mela Theme have been developed such as Mugs, T-shirts and Scarves which will be made available for sale on affordable prizes.
Extra care has been taken to provide ample place for the seating of the senior citizens, ladies and children by providing concrete benches all over the Mela area and the food court.
Special emphasis has been made to create rural ambience to gel with the Mela theme by engaging professionals.
The security arrangements this year have been beefed-up considerably by placing CCTV Cameras in the Mela area along with the Night Vision Cameras. The numbers of security personal have also been increased.
This year the parking areas for vehicles have been increased and also separate entry and exit gate have been created for each parking so as to smoothen the traffic flow.
Golf Carts and Battery operated Rickshaws will be available on request for the facilitation of Senior Citizens and special Differently Abled persons
Special plan for the smooth movements of the pedestrians has been made and walk friendly ramps have been created instead of stairs in the Mela ground.
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