In a bid to strengthen the position of weavers and artisans who are deprived of creating markets for their products, the Odisha government has organised the Toshali National Craft Mela-2016 here.
The Mela, organised by the Handloom, Textiles and Handicrafts department of the state government, would be held at Janata Maidan, Bhubaneswar from December 15 to 27.
Artisans, weavers, painters and sculptors from all over the country would participate in this Mela and exhibit their traditional and contemporary handicrafts and handloom products, said Handloom, Textile and Handicrafts minister Snehangini Chhuria.
The minister said "As an important cultural nerve centre of the country, Bhubaneswar hosts the Toshali National Crafts Mela every year. The Mela has already carved a unique niche of its own in the country's Annual Carnival Calendar."
Asked about the vision of the Mela, the minister said it would offer an open forum to artists, artisans and connoisseurs for interaction.
Besides, the Mela aimed at preserving and nurturing traditional art forms, handicrafts and handloom of India and create awareness and educate people on the skills and creative intricacies involved in making the products.
This year, the Mela would accommodate 350 handicraft and handloom stalls. 100 artisans and 50 weavers from different states of the country would participate.
A food court having 30 stalls up by exclusive hotels and restaurants would offer delicious multi-cuisine menu to the visitors along with traditional Odia cuisine.
The Mela would host cultural programmes each evening between 6 PM to 9.30 PM. Singer Kavita Krishnamurthy would perform on the evening of December 25.
Apart from that, Bollywood singer Amit Sana would also perform on December 18, the minister said.
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