Taj Mahotsav - An Arts and Crafts festival

When talked about Agra, the virtual picture Taj Mahal comes in everybody's mind. One of the seven wonders of the world Taj Mahal draws tourists from all over the world. Built around 350 years ago, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the white marble monument still maintains its old charm. Besides the Taj Mahal, Agra is also known for its annual event called Taj Mahotsav. In fact, the charm of Taj Mahal and the city increases many folds during the Taj Mahal Utsav.

A yearly event Taj Mahotsav is held close to Taj Mahal between February 18 and 27. A 10 days event, Taj Mahotsav is organised by the Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh. Also known as the Taj Mahal Utsav, the festival venue is Shilpgram. Taj Mahotsav showcases the art and craft of the region and also provides a wonderful chance to savour the traditional delicacies.

Usually the festival begins with a impressive procession of elephants and camels. Invigorating beats of drums and impressive performances of folk artists made the mahotsav more lively. In addition to Uttar Pradesh, the arts, crafts and traditions of other parts of country are also displayed in the Mahotsav.

During the festival you can have a fine glimpse of rich cultural heritage and unparalleled legacies of India. You would be surely pleased after experience the rich culture of Uttar Pradesh. Exquisite arts and crafts, delectable cuisines, soothing music and lively dance add more to your experience. Brass and metal ware from Moradabad, wood carvings of Saharanpur, Badohi's handmade carpets, the pottery of Khurja, chickan - work of Lucknow and silk sarees of Benaras (Varanasi) are some of the highlights of the event. Amongst the music and dance performances, folk music and dances of Dundelkhand, Nautanki (drama), Sapera (snake) dance of Rajasthan and Lavani of Maharashtra are main attractions of Taj Mahotsav.

So gear up soon and visit Agra this February to participate in the Taj Mahotsav. You will get a never before experience and return your home with lifelong memories.

Surajkund Crafts Mela 2008

The 22nd Surajkund Crafts Mela started on February 1 in Delhi's neighbouring state Haryana. The 15 days fair was inaugurated on Friday by the Union Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee in presence of Haryana Chief Minister,Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Tourism Minister of West Bengal Manabendra Mukherjee.

Started in the year 1981, every year the festival is held at Surajkund in Faridabad district. Also popular amongst the residents of Delhi, Surajkund Mela provides a good platform for displaying folk arts and crafts from all over the country.

Every year a new state is chosen as the theme of the mela and the entire decoration is done accordingly. West Bengal is the theme State of this year's Crafts Mela and you can see and experience the state every where. Venue of the Crafts Mela has been nicely decorated with the traditional art work and beautiful motifs of West Bengal. During the 15 day fair, 61 selected artisan would exhibit their works of art and display the rich tradition of crafts from West Bengal. Some of the interesting items which are on display are artistic leather craft, brass and bell metal, cane and bamboo, clay dolls, jute products, masks,puppets and many more.

Organisers of the mela has built a replica of the Vishnupur Gate of the state. About 120 artistes from West Bengal would perform traditional rural dance forms of the state such as Chhou, Natua, Raibeshe, Mech and Baul folk songs. West Bengal would also organise a fashion show on February 9 to showcase the rich traditions of textiles, crafts and styles.



Special stall highlighting cuisine of West Begnal has been set up. You can also enjoy cuisine of Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Himachal, Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat in the food stalls. Besides, Chinese and Thai cuisine are also on offer on the food stalls.

Altogether 350 craftspersons and weavers from all over the country has participated in the Surajkund mela. Besides,crafts persons from SAARC countries, Thailand and Brazil have also participated in the mela.

Dance performances from various states would also be presented at the Crafts mela. Some of the dance forms that would be presented include Kargam folk dance from Tamil Nadu, Dhollu Kunita folk dance from Karnataka, dandia and garba from Gujarat.

Handicrafts of some of the states displayed at the Mela include Banjara and Bunni embroidery of Gujarat, Chikan work of Lucknow, Phulkari embroidery of Punjab, Lace and crochet from Goa, Sandalwood and rosewood carving of South India, Kantha work of West Bengal and North Eastern states, Chikri woodcraft of Kashmir.

Main attractions of cultural programmes that would be organized every evening are Hasya Kavi Sammellan by Mr. Surender Sharma on Feb.4, Little Champs Show on Feb.5, Punjabi Folk Singer from Pakistan, Mr. Badru Zaman on Feb. 9 and Dance Ballet-Holi Aai Re by Padma Vibhushan Birju Maharaj on Feb.12.