The Malabar Crafts Mela, one of the largest South Indian festivals of artisans, will begin at Kottakkunnu here on Friday.
Minister for Industries P.K. Kunhalikutty will inaugurate the fair at Kottakkunnu Open Air Theatre in the evening. Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development E. Ahamed will inaugurate the traditional thatched huts erected for the fair. Minister for Power Aryadan Mohammed will inaugurate the theme pavilion. Minister for Tourism A.P. Anil Kumar will inaugurate the cultural programmes. Minister for Education P.K. Abdu Rabb will inaugurate the food court.
P. Ubaidulla, MLA, will preside over the programme. Industry Secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma will deliver the keynote address.
District panchayat vice-president P.K. Kunhu flagged off a roadshow on the fair at a function held at the Collectorate here on Wednesday.
The roadshow will ballyhoo the crafts mela throughout the district till December 30.
District Industries Centre general manager T. Abdul Wahab, managers K.T. Abdul Majeed, M.V. Lovely and Usman Sherif Koori spoke.
The organisers claimed that the Malabar Crafts Mela, modelled on the famous Surajkund Crafts Mela of Haryana, would be the biggest crafts fair in South India.
The two-week fair will showcase the best craftsmanship from across the country. The event is expected to draw thousands of people from Malappuram and neighbouring districts to Kottakkunnu.
Turkey is the partner country of the mela.
A group of artists and artisans from Turkey will display their skills at the fair. Last year, Egypt was the official partner of the fair.
“This year we chose Turkey, like Egypt last year, considering its cultural richness,” said District Collector M.C. Mohandas.
Apart from foreign delegates, dozens of artisans from different States will showcase their skills at the fair.
There will be cultural programmes on all evenings showcasing the folk traditions of Turkey and Kerala.
News @ Hindu
