Inaugurating the fair, Minister for Industries and Information Technology P.K. Kunhalikutty said that the annual event would be given a facelift needed to catch national and international attention. A permanent mechanism would be put in place for the mela, he said, adding that the growth of industries would be given a boost by involving experts from different States.
Inaugurating the theme pavilion of the crafts fair, Electricity Minister Aryadan Mohammed said the fair had already become a model for the entire country. Tourism Minister A.P. Anil Kumar said that a crafts village would be set up in Malappuram. It would be a permanent set-up which would hold the annual fair. The working design of the village would be made soon, he said.
P. Ubaidulla, MLA, presided over the function. culture and tourism counsellor at the Turkey Embassy, was the chief guest at the function. Turkey is the official partner country of the Malappuram Crafts Mela. Last year, Egypt was the partner country.
Hundreds of artisans from over a dozen States are taking part in the crafts fair, which is designed after the famous Surajkund Crafts Mela of Haryana.
A musical orchestra followed the inaugural function. There will be cultural programmes on every evening till the fair winds up on December 30.
Shali Vijayan and team from Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai, will present Bharatnatyam and its variants at the open air auditorium on Saturday. The district police wing will present a drama to create awareness on road safety at the stage named Nattarivu. At the third stage, Kongad Achutha Pisharady and team will present an Ottanthullal. The programmes will begin at 7 p.m. and conclude by 9 p.m.
News @ Hindu Daily
