A sumptuous treat of rich traditions

As the winter sets in, Bhubaneswar dons the colours of the myriad crafts of India. The annual Toshali Crafts Mela is now a nationally recognised event that showcases the finest handlooms and handicraft traditions of India. Its success is apparent from the fact that the Odissa Tourism is organising the fair this time at a much larger scale, compared to the previous years.Like every year, craftsmen from all over the country have assembled at the Janata Maidan here for the fair that will last till the 27th of this month. Over 200 State and National award winning craftsmen from across the country are participating in the mela. They are showcasing a large variety of unique and intricate handicrafts and handlooms. And the weavers have unfolded a brilliant canvas of exquisite hand-woven textiles. There is an array of saris - Pochampally, Venkatagiri, Kanjeevaram, Kalamkari, Maheshwari, Ikkat, Chanderi, Dharamavaran, etc. Also on display are Santhali paintings, matchless bidriware and a fabulous array of woodcarvings and stone carvings.From Odisha, there are ‘handmade’ wonders including the age-old art of making bell metal by hollow casting also known as Dhokra craft. This art will find shape in figurines; show pieces, combs, bowls and lamps. Showcasing the symbiotic relationship of tribals with nature, the beautiful wrought iron craft have found prominence at the fair. Displaying the elegant rawness of metal artefacts and figures, the skilfully forged pieces include “adivasi’’ musicians playing the “mohuri’’ (trumpet), “dhapra’’, “tudbudi’’ and the three string sitara, peacocks, monkeys, lions, deer and the laman diya, the most popular item in the wrought iron craft.Yet another traditional craft is the intricately carved and smoothly finished wood craft. Again inspired by tribal life, the items include boxes, flute, bows and arrows.Traditional vendors from Punjab have come with 2,000 hand-made and intricately designed juttis from Patiala. “The juttis have been prepared by me and my karigars. My forefathers were also in this trade and I have come here to popularise Punjabi juttis. This is my second participation and I hope to attract both Indian and foreign buyers,” Harpreet Singh, one among them.There is some lip-smacking Odia, Nawabi cuisine on offer as well. The Pitha Parlour by Odisha Tourism Development Corporation (OTDC) is serving traditional Odia pithas and dishes like Dahi Bara Aloo Dum and Bara Guguni. Customers can also treat themselves to fine Indian and Continental cuisine at the Food Pavillion at the mela grounds.Describing the fair as the most prestigious event on the country’s tourism calendar, Tourism and Culture Minister Prafulla Samal said :“In the last six years, the Toshali Crafts Fair has been successful in sensitising the public about the rich Indian art, craft and cultural traditions, besides the cuisine in an exquisite rural ambience. This year also it has continued to give a special treatment to indigenous craftsmen.”