GUWAHATI, Jan 9 � Come February, and the kaleidoscopic multi-ethnic mosaic of the State will come alive before a global audience at the historic Surajkund Mela. This is because Assam has been chosen as the �Theme State� for the fair after 12 years.
The Assam team comprising artisans and folk artistes accompanied by officials of departments such as Tourism, Cultural Affairs, and Handloom, Handicrafts and Sericulture, has already left for the 15-day extravaganza where they will showcase the State�s vibrant heritage.
Surajkund Mela is organized every year at Surajkund in Haryana from February 1 to 15. Organized by the Haryana Tourism Department in collaboration with the Union Ministry of Tourism, the crafts fair is a unique event where talented artists, craftspeople, weavers, painters, sculptors, and folk musicians and dancers from across the nation exhibit their skills in diverse spheres.
Indian States apart, many nations including the SAARC countries are a regular participator in the fair, lending it a global perspective.
An official source told The Assam Tribune that the Assam pavilion would have 40-odd stalls displaying a wide array of ethnic arts and crafts.
�It is a big honour for Assam to be selected as the Theme State. We are confident of putting up a great show and showcase our best before a global audience,� the official said,
The fair also provides a meeting ground for the painters, weavers, sculptors and craftsmen form all over India with art and crafts-lovers that flock to the site in their thousands.
�The artisans would also get a much-needed platform from where they can interact with both their counterparts from other places as well as with the visitors. It will be a huge exposure for them,� the official said.
