The third edition of Malappuram Crafts Mela was held from December 16 to 30,
2009 at Kottakkunnu Maidan, Malappuram. The Mela was organised by Department
of Industries & Commerce, Government of Kerala in association with Department of
Tourism and other related Departments / Agencies. Kerala Bureau of Industrial
Promotion (K-BIP) under Department of Industries & Commerce was the State level
coordinating Agency of Government of Kerala for the successful conduct of the Event.
The Event was organised as part of the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival organised by
Government of Kerala.
The Malappuram Crafts Mela was organised with the objective to highlight some of the
finest handloom and handicraft traditions of the State and from other States of the
Country at par with the Surajkund Crafts Mela organised by Haryana Tourism in North
India.
Surajkund Mela was the very first effort on organizing cultural events on a national level
by Haryana Tourism that began in 1981. The Crafts Mela celebrates the finest handlooms
and handicrafts traditions of the Country. It is a fortnight long Event that embodies the
spirit that runs through the people of India and its rich culture. It is held in the month of
February from 1st to 15th every year.
The objectives of Malappuram Crafts Mela are:
• To strengthen and promote the Traditional Industries of the State.
• To introduce a mechanism for interaction with the existing players in the
Traditional Sector.
• To introduce crafts and crafts persons directly to the buyers and help them find
their patrons. 3
• To identify, nurture and preserve languishing crafts of the State and promote it for
posterity.
• To create a rural ambience for the foreign and domestic tourists.
• To educate clients both from abroad, urban centres, educational institutions etc.
about the fascinating technique and skills involved in craft creation.
The Malappuram Crafts Mela 2009 showcased 120 Nos. exhibition stalls in the form of
traditional huts for 258 Artisans / Craftsmen from Kerala State and other States of India
with more focus on the traditional crafts products and live demonstration of artisans, 12
Nos. Food Courts for exhibiting ethnic food products, areas for art forms and cultural
programmes etc. The Mela will be made as a unique event of Kerala State, India at par
with Surajkund and Pushkar Melas in North India.
This year Mela selected Artisans / Craftsmen / Non Government Organisations /
Organisations from our State and outside the State in the Traditional Sectors like
Handicrafts, Handlooms, Coir, Bamboo, Screwpine, etc. The Skilled artisans / craftsmen
from all over the State especially from Malabar region and from other States of the
Country displayed the rich crafts tradition in the typical setting of a rural market place.
Cultural programmes and rural cuisine was part of this colourful Fair. The Mela
witnessed the rhythms of folk theatre. Concurrent to the Mela, Malabar Food Festival
was also organised which provided a forum to showcase unique traditional cuisine of
Kerala State for the interest of visitors / tourists. The Food Courts was showcased in
traditional styles to cater the popular food dishes of Kerala State especially from the
Malabar region.
The Mela was organised by Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of
Kerala in association with the Tourism Department / Grand Kerala Shopping Festival,
District Industries Centre, Malappuram and Malappuram District Administration. Kerala 4
Bureau of Industrial Promotion (K-BIP) was the State level coordinating Agency on
behalf of Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Kerala for the
successful conduct of the Mela.
