28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in India:

Colourful creations make Lanka proud

By Disna Mudalige After a visit to Haryana, India

Sri Lanka occupied a place of pride and prominence at the 28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela in the State of Haryana in India as the partner nation by showcasing its unique diversity of the handicrafts and the cultural heritage.

Taking the best out of the opportunity, the National Crafts Council (NCC) with the cooperation of Sri Lanka Tourism made an eye-catching display of the nation's identity, heritage, history, culture, arts, cuisine, customs and traditions attracting a huge crowd to the Sri Lankan pavilion at the Mela grounds.

Pinnacle of crafts exposition

As of the Haryana Tourism, the Mela was conceived primarily to promote the pool of skilled artisans, who used indigenous technology, but were suffering due to the cheaper machine-made imitations. It was an earnest effort to provide a platform for crafts persons and wavers to directly market their wares by eliminating the middlemen.

This year Afghanistan, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Portugal, Iran, Uganda, Brazil, Ivory Coast, Thailand and of course Sri Lanka took part in the Mela making it more colourful and diverse.

The ambience of the Mela revolved around the theme 'Spring', giving a flavour of a carnival with colourful decorations such as flowers, bees, rainbows and birds. It was a fair to cherish and remember forever.

Sri Lankan Pavilion

The area allotted for Sri Lanka was specially designed in a manner reminiscent to the Sri Lankan culture and traditions with a beautiful and artistic creation by Susantha Nanayakkara.

Being a specialist in exhibition stalls, set designs and backdrops, he willingly supported the NCC in designing the Sri Lankan pavilion at the Mela."I was utmost careful in selecting suitable colours and designs for decorations to depict our nation's identity. The first thing that catches the eye of a visitor to the Sri Lankan pavilion is the Buddha statue and that was done purposely to remind of the country's close association with India in terms of Buddhism", he said. Sri Lankan pavilion was a popular attraction at the Mela and it was visited by a large crowd during the Mela fortnight enabling better sales for crafts persons.

Finest Sri Lankan artisans

A contingent of 17 craftspersons who attended this year's Mela showcased some of the most exquisite handlooms and handicrafts of Sri Lanka representing 16 handicraft sectors. NCC Chairman Buddhi Keethisena said they were selected among the crafts persons registered with the NCC from various parts of the country. The 16 handicraft sectors included Batik, coconut shell based crafts, canvas painting, wood based products, patch work (fabric), red clay, velvet paintings, jute based products, bamboo based products, masks, silver jewellery, bobbin lace, traditional paintings, handmade paper products, handloom textiles and palmyra products.

"This crafts exposition was a rare and invaluable opportunity for our crafts persons. It enabled them to improve their knowledge, and creative ability through interaction with persons in similar fields from other parts of the world. On the other hand, it opened doors for the Sri Lankan crafts to enter international markets. It brought about the much needed exposure for our craftspersons in the international arena, thereby creating additional opportunities for the export sector," the Chairman said.

Tissa Weerakkody, the proprietor of the Hasitha Handicraft Industries in Horana, joined the Mela for the second consecutive year. The array of bamboo handicrafts, flower vases, ashtrays, wall hangings, letter racks, key tags, visiting card holders, trays, and souvenirs of his stall captured the attention of many visitors.

"It has been 29 years since the founding of my own enterprise. All the products displayed here are my artistic creations.

The experiences we gain at the Mela are precious for us to improve our products by looking at similar products from various regions in the world.

However, as we need to constantly check on our stalls, our free time to visit other stalls is limited. Last time, all my craft items were sold out and acquaintances with the buyers helped me to receive several orders even after the Mela" he said.

The participation of Jaffna Palmyrah Handicrafts (Guarantee) Ltd was special as it made the Sri Lankan representation at the Mela complete.

It was a clear indication that the people in the Northern part of the island have not been forgotten at any point. Company Secretary Vartharasan Soba joined in the tour with a wide-array of palmyrah products including hats, market bags, flower vases and bags, trays and sewing boxes.

"This is my first foreign tour. My father is a fisherman and he also does welding work. My mother is a housewife and I am the eldest of four daughters. During the period of terrorism in 1990 we moved to Kilinochchi, but returned in 2002. Despite many challenges, I had education up to G.C.E. Ordinary Level.

"Thereafter, I had an interest towards this industry and joined in a training program conducted by the Palmyra Development Board in 2010. Our 15 member company helps women handicraft makers to prosper.

We have won the first place in the Jaffna district at the Shilpa Exhibition", Soba said with a tone of accomplishment.

Nihal Sangabo Dias is another talented artist who silently captivated the attention of many visitors to the Sri Lankan pavilion.

His paintings on canvas and paper captured the very essence of Sri Lankan countryside, people and culture. Born with a hearing disability, he has been gifted with vivid imagination and outstanding talent in sketching portraits and painting.

Sangabo was graduated from the School of the Fine Arts in 1976. He has also designed images for a number of postage stamps issued in Sri Lanka. He has held many exhibitions locally and abroad titled Nihanda Jeewa. He has received international recognition with awards from Switzerland and Argentina. Presently he operates the 'Nihanda Jeewa Art Gallery' in Battaramulla.

Two specialists in the Batik industry, Rathna Wimal Aluthge and K M R Perera took part in the Mela with their most exquisite and finest Batik products and designs.

Rathna Aluthge, the proprietor of Rathna Batik in Horana, who participated in the Surajkund Mela for the first time, said he learnt many new designs and creative art works by joining it.

"I inclined towards this industry due to my passion. Presently we export our products to European countries, China, Australia and India.

We have a large product variety in our collection such as shirts, T-shirts, frocks, bed covers, hand bags, ladies and men's accessories, slippers and fancy items including paintings. We opt for distinctly Sri Lankan style" he said.

Sri Lankan cuisine at food court

The multi-cuisine food court of the Mela was immensely popular with visitors. It consisted of a stall designated for Sri Lankan delicacies.

Ceylon tea, Sri Lankan rice and curry for lunch, Koththu, milk rice along with accompaniments such as lunumiris and seenisambol were sold at the stall, attracting those who love to experiment and taste a difference.

The stall was operated by BMICH Hospitality Services Operations Manager and The Sovereign Corporate Hotel Manager Channa Fernando. "We are glad to represent our country in this world-renowned exhibition. I believe the other agencies related to tourism should have assumed a greater role here as this is a rare opportunity to promote the image of our country, thereby benefiting tourism", Channa said.

Cultural performances

The charming performances of 'Sri Lanka Youth' dancing troupe and band throughout this handicrafts and cultural extravaganza grabbed the attention of many visitors, chief guests and Indian media. 'Sri Lanka Day' which was celebrated at the Mela on February 4 was made colourful with dazzling and vibrant cultural performances captivating the Indian audience. Urban Affairs Senior Minister A H M Fowzie, MP Malini Fonseka, Sri Lanka High Commissioner to India Prasad Kariyawasam, Traditional Industries and Small Enterprise Development Ministry Additional Secretary Mangalika Adhikari, President's Personal Secretary and National Design Centre Board Member Anoma Wickramasuriya participated as chief guests in the 'Sri Lanka Day' of the Mela.