Held in the idyllic setting of the temple city of Bhubaneswar, Toshali National Crafts Mela is a unique showcase of the spirit of rural India. This event provides a huge platform for various talented artists, painters, weavers, sculptors and craftsmen from around the country as well as other SAARC nations to display their creativity.
An ambience resembling the typical setting of Indian Rural Haat is created to infuse life into this unique concept. This 13-day long Mela gives an opportunity to the visitors to interact with nationally and internationally acclaimed craftsmen and buy their exclusive creations.
Various stalls display some of the best handicrafts and handlooms of India like cane craft from North East, chiki woodcraft from Kashmir, wood and cane inlay work from South India, oxidized jewellery, sea-shell decorations from Rajasthan, patola and bandhni from Gujarat and Rajasthan, ikat of Odisha, chikan from Lucknow, kantha from Tripura & West Bengal, kanjeevaram from the South are found in this mela. Besides, many colourful cultural programmes and food stalls with variety of delicacies add to the attraction of the Toshali National Crafts Mela.
This year, artisans from 18 states of India and Bhutan and other SAARC countries are expected to attend the mela, which will showcase the tourism potential and cultural heritage of the State to both domestic and foreign visitors.There would also be a musical programme dedicating works of the past and present musical genius of the state including Pandit Raghunath Panigrahi, Akhaya Mohanty, Praffula Kar and Balakrushna Kar, among others.
