Kalagram decks up for 13th edition of Chandigarh National Crafts Mela-2023

Kalagram decks up for 13th edition of Chandigarh National Crafts Mela-2023

by Ramesh K Dhiman

CHANDIGARH, November 27

The 13th edition of the Chandigarh National Crafts Mela will offer, besides other fascinating features, a bonanza of electrifying music-n-dance performances to the tricity audience from December 1 to 10. The 10-day long event will feature some of the acclaimed singers from as many as 20 states, who would perform live and mesmerize the audience with their soulful renditions.

The Annual Chandigarh National Craft Fair has always attracted a large number of Mela buffs from across the tricity to be a part of it. It not only offers a slew of well-meaning family and culturally rich programmes for the city audience, but also brings a fare of traditional culinary flavors from various regions, besides briging in a range of handicrafts and other handmade products up for grab at reasonably competitive rates.

This time around too, host North Zone Culture Centre (NZCC) in association with the Department of Cultural Affairs, Chandigarh Administration, stellar performances by folk artistes from as many as 20 states, specially invited to perform during the 10-day Fair, will regale the most demanding tricity audience.

On the opening day of the Fair (December 1), a well-nuanced presentation based on folk and classical arts, choreographed by celebrity choreographer Santosh Nair, will keep the audience hooked for hours. The spectacle will have more than 200 artistes who will participate in this unique musical presentation, bringing live the united colours of India.
Apart from this magnifiscent presentation, well-known Sufi singer Sultana Nooran of the the Nooran Sisters duo, will perform on the first day.
Prominet Punjabi singer Preet Harpal will be the star attraction on Day Two (December 2), to be followed by
a scintillating performance by soulful Punjabi singer Lakhwinder Wadali on December 3.

On day four (Dec 4) a captivating folk dance performance by Himachali artistes, led by the proverbial Nati King of Himachal Pradesh, Kuldeep Sharma, will take the city audience on a short trip to be all ears to the soul-soothing music of the hills.
On December 5, the winner of the 10th season of Indian Idol, Salman Ali will be the star performer of the evening.
The appreciative city audience could not have asked for more as they have enough in their kitty. On December 6, the latest heartthrob of music lovers, famed folk singer Maithili Thakur, will hold the audience to ransom, doling out the intricate colours of her craft, a rage among the young and the old alike.
The annual feature brings something for everyone. On Thursday, (December 7), Maya Upadhyay, a singing sensation from the Kumaon region, will paint the evening with the folk colours of Uttarakhand.
Up next to set the stage ablaze on December 8 is the prominent Punjabi singer, Joban Sandhu, all set to mesmerize the music lovers with his choicest numbers, while the dazzling duo of Punjabi singing, Gulrez Akhtar and Kulwinder Kelly will regale the audience on the penultimate day (December 9) with their soul-stirring singing.
A powerful performance by star Punjabi singer Prabh Gill on December 10 will mark the end of the colourful Crafts Mela at Kalagram.
NZCC Director, Furkan Khan, the beacon behind the mega event on the occasion said ” Keeping in view varied interests of the valued audience from Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula, and elsewhere, acclaimed artistes and artisans have been invited to showcase their craft to a larger city audience. The guiding aim of the Center is not only to provide opportunities for a well-meaning and wholesome entertainment but also to bring in the audience face-to-face with the composite cultural heritage of the country”

Entry to the Fair will be free for visitors on Day One (December 1).