Toshali Crafts Mela To Begin In Bhubaneswar Today; 560 artisans likely to attend, check details
Toshali Crafts Mela showcases several unique and artistic crafts made by craftsmen and artisans from all over the country. The event is organised by the State Institute for Development of Arts and Crafts (SIDAC), Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts Department, Government of Odisha. One of the most popular crafts Mela of India, it is organized every year to provide a right platform for all weavers, artisans and sculptors.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to inaugurate the 17th Toshali National Crafts Mela at Janata Maidan in Odisha capital on Wednesday.
Artisans and weavers from all over the country will exhibit heir traditional and contemporary handicraft and handloom products at the fair, which will continue till February 12. This year the theme of the fair is Handlooms: Tradition and trends.
People can visit Toshali Mela 2023 from 2.30 PM to 9.30 PM and cultural programmes will be held between 6 PM to 9.30 PM. Eminent artists and troupes from different parts of the country as well as the State are slated to perform in the event.
A total of 560 artisans and weavers will participate in the mela, out of which 250 handicrafts artisans from different parts of the country are sponsored by Development Commissioner (Handicrafts) under National Handcrafts Fair Scheme. Fifty weavers from different parts of the country have been sponsored by DC (Handlooms). Similarly, 150 artisans and 110 weavers of the State have been sponsored by Directorate of Handicrafts, Odisha and Directorate of Textiles and Handlooms, Odisha respectively.
The Toshali Mela venue will also have a food court with 25 food stalls to offer delicious multi-cuisine foodstuffs to the visitors along with traditional Odia cuisine.
These would include stalls of Millet Mission, OMFED and OTDC. Eminent artists and troops from different parts of the country as well as the state will participate in cultural programmes. It is being arranged in association with Odisha Sangeet Natak Akademy and Department of Odia Language, Literature & Culture. There will also be a fashion show showcasing rich handloom/handicrafts products of Odisha.
Last year, the mela had seen a footfall of 19 lakh and Rs 16.13 crore earnings. The department is expecting 20 lakh people to visit the fair this year and a business of Rs 20 crore.
The organizers also have made all logistics arrangements i.e. Fire brigade, Security, First Aid Service, Ambulance, drinking water, toilets, ATM Counters will be available on the mela premises. They also have decided to keep the mela plastic-free. Exhibitors and visitors can get handmade bags from the venue. They will also get free accommodation along with transportation facilities.
Life Time Achievement awardees of the handicrafts sector for the year 2019, 2020, 2021 will be felicitated during the inaugural event. Similarly, State Award for Handicrafts and Handloom sector for the year 2019, 2020, 2021 will be given to eminent personalities.
If you love to explore the cultural alleys, you will surely love to visit this fair at least once in your life.
