JHARKHAND IS 31st THEME STATE IN 2017 SURAJKUND INTERNATIONAL CRAFTS MELA BEGINNING FROM 1ST OF FEBRUARY
For the first time in the history of Surajkund International Crafts Mela, Jharkhand has been chosen as a theme state, which begins on 1st of February at the sprawling Surajkund landscape.
With this, the newly carved out state will have plenty of opportunities to promote its art, culture, crafts, handloom and even its heritage not only within India but also beyond its boundaries, for the Surajkund Mela is known for its wider reach to visitors and participants in the two week’s affairs.
As the theme state, Jharkhand will have wider scope to display and exhibit not only its culture including art as a whole but also avail of multiple opportunities to showcase its customs and traditions including festivals, dance, music, its special cuisine and even fine arts at multiple locations in and around Surajkund in the State of Haryana, said Tourism Secretary, Government of Jharkhand, Mr. Rahul Sharma while addressing media here today among other senior functionaries of the State of Haryana. Director Tourism, Jharkhand, Mr. Waghmare Prasad Krishna was also present on the occasion.
The 15 days festivities commencing on 1st of February is being inaugurated by the Chief Minister of Haryana Mr. Manohar Lal Khattar in which host of its other cabinet ministers, including senior functionaries of state’s bureaucracy, a number of diplomats, high commissioners, cultural and economic counselors from various Embassies and High Commissions are likely to take part.
The inauguration ceremony will have participation from Mr. Amar Kumar Bauri, Minister of Revenue, Registration & Land Reforms, Tourism, Art, Culture, Sports & Youth Affairs and Mr Rahul Sharma, Secretary Tourism along with several other officials and functionaries of the from the State Government of Jharkhand .
In the 15 days mela, Jharkhand which is the 31st Theme State this year, would be showcasing most of its heritage, cultural, arts, crafts, handicrafts, special cusine and the like.
Some of the festivals and fairs that are known as strength of Jharkhand include Tusu Parab which is a harvest festival celebrated in the last day of month of Paush. Karma is still another religious festival along with Sarhul and Baandhna. Some of the pilgrimage centres and places that would be highlighted during the mela are the Baidyanath Dham, Pahari Mandir, Parasnath Temple etc. The entrance has been decorated as Maluti Temple, which would remain permanently and temporary gates would be based on themes like Chhou dance, Jharkhand's Itkhori tourist site, Dokra art and Rajarappa temple.
An 18-foot statue of Birsa Munda has been erected, beside the information centre set up at Suraj Kund is based on Audrey House, which houses the Information and Public Relations Department of State Government, heritage sites such as Anjan Dham and Hazirabagh Group of Monuments would also be promoted with the culture of Jharkhand like Chhou Dance, Paika and the like.
Within these two weeks of the Surajkund Mela, each day a carnival would go along the landscape of the sites promoting and propagating multiple diversities and complexities of the state which would be sign of attention. During the mela, an ethnic fashion show is also being organized on 11th of February in which leading fashion designers choreographer and models will display the cultural strength of the State.
The Mela will come to an end on 15th of February 2017 with closing ceremony in which the Governor of Jharkhand and Haryana and senior functionaries of tourism and other related ministries are likely to participate in full swing.
The PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry is facilitating the Government of Jharkhand through the Administration of Haryana Tourism to provide visibility to the State of Jharkhand effectively in the mela with all its products, art , culture, cuisine, artisans and artists, performers at the carnival and cultural programs and services in an effective manner.
