To showcase the rich tradition of crafts from Bengal, 61 selected artisans would exhibit their works of art at the 15-day long fair. The craftsmen will display their artistic leather craft, brass and bell metal, cane and bamboo, clay dolls, jute products, masks and puppets amongst other things. “Our efforts are to appropriately represent handicraft and handloom traditions of the state,” said B K Sinha, Development Commissioner Handlooms, Govt of India.

Keeping the theme state in mind, the organisers have built a replica of the Vishnupur Gate. “About 120 artistes from the state will perform traditional rural Bengal dance forms like Chhou, Natua, Raibeshe, Mech and Baul folk songs,” T V N Rao, Managing Director, West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation, said. The state would organise a fashion show on February 9 to showcase the rich traditions of textiles, crafts and styles.

While special stalls highlighting Bengal cuisine will be set up, food stalls from Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Himachal, Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat have also been put up. Chinese and Thai cuisine are also on offer. “The mela seeks to provide a forum for most of the states to showcase a unique and traditional cuisine for the interest of the visitors,” said Keshni Anand Arora, Commissioner and Secretary of Tourism, Haryana.

Performances from various states like Kargam folk dance from Tamil Nadu, Dhollu Kunita folk dance from Karnataka, dandia and garba from Gujarat will also be presented at the mela. There will also be a dance ballet choreographed by Padma Vibhushan Birju Maharaj.