Crafts boon in Surajkund

by T. Arjuna

If faith is the belief in what one does not see; the reward of that faith is to see what you believe: and Surajkund never belies my faith. Over the past four years of my visits, year on year, Surajkund has only deepened my faith. Come February, the cosmic world of crafts comes alive when, the personification of the creative power, the lord of arts, the executor of a thousand handicrafts, the most eminent of artisans, the father and generator on whose crafts mortals, subsist, be they one or many descend upon Surajkund, and the place blossoms forth, resplendent and alive, with crafts and craftsperson.

Surajkund in Haryana, India, might have been a might have been place, but for the Tourism Ministry of the Government of Haryana chancing upon the idea to create at this ancient reservoir of the 10th century, the world's greatest crafts festival. This year, a thousand artisans, 30 countries, participated with food and frolic, music and dance.

Surajkund in February is a living testament to the vision and passion of its creators. In its 28th year, moving from mere faith to momentous success, the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, as usual, showcased to the world the vibrancy of the crafts of India and 30 other countries of which Sri Lanka, this year, was a major player as the Partner Nation of the Festival.

Verdict

The world is a busy place filled with many busy businesses, both the godly and the ungodly. It means before you go on to accept any activity or event that comes into your world, you must weigh its values, examine the virtues, listen to views, and then give your verdict. That is the way of the wise.

Thus, it was with, when on the initiative of the Tourism Ministry of Haryana, the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, through its office of the High Commissioner for India in Sri Lanka, extended to the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka an invitation to become the Partner Nation at the festival this year.

Though Sri Lanka has been participating for several years at Surajkund, the Chairman of the National Crafts Council, Buddhi Keerthisena had to think deep and hard, before he decided to accept the challenge of becoming a partner nation. The implications were greater; the constraints were many: time was of essence and barely, sufficient; funds were hardly, if not barely, adequate; and competent staff, limited.

The only assured feature was the creativity of our crafts persons, the true disciples of Vishwakarma. They are not just good, but strive to be better and ever willing to learn. They were the greatest asset available and the Chairman of the National Crafts Council decided to brave it out and accept the honour bestowed on the country, for the sake of the Nation and our crafts persons.

Sri Lanka, has always shown that it appreciates its culture, crafts and arts; and the government is ever willing and committed to its investment and sustainability. Even ordinary people pack the venues of exhibitions where crafts are, brought to them live.

The total attendance for the events pertaining to arts and crafts in Sri Lanka, in fact, exceeds that for sports. This shows the love of our people for arts and crafts and the primacy of place it holds.

Hence, with nothing more than conviction, courage, and confidence in the establishment, the Chairman approached Basil Rajapaksa, the Minister of Economic Development, for help. The Minister saw the benefits the country stood to gain and readily agreed to help.

Through his efforts, the Tourism Promotion Bureau became the co-partners to the event.

Stone Age

The rest is history: Sri Lanka not only went on to become the partner nation of the 28th Surajkund International Crafts Mela, but also set an exalted benchmark that will be difficult to better for countries that become the partner nation in future.

Surajkund, a hamlet in the base of the Aravalli hill ranges, in the proximity of Delhi, considered to have been peopled from Stone Age is usually a sleepy little village. Come February, the finest handlooms, handicrafts, authentic fragrances, and flavours of rich Indian cuisines, and that of other countries, is showcased there for all to savour and shop.

In an alluring and enchanting rural ambience, craftsperson from several countries, including Sri Lanka, display and demonstrate their finest, traditional, craftswork that is set to capture the hearts and minds of visitors. In a mood of fun, frolic, entertainment and exclusive shopping, over a hundred-thousand visitors a day, every day for 15 days, partake of this extravaganza and converted it into a celebration of merriment and festivity.

This year, as the partner nation, Sri Lanka had its exclusive prime area, decorated to create a traditional Sri Lankan ambience. Susantha Nanayakkara and his team of designers transformed the area into the serendipitous land of beauty, and colour, in keeping with our traditions and customs. The lion flag of Sri Lanka proudly fluttered everywhere the eye could see. The officials of the National Crafts Council, led by the Chairman Buddhi Keerthisena, Board Member Ratnayake, and the team consisting of Chandamali, Deputy Director; Manohari, Assistant Director, Kamal, Assistant Director, Anuradha, Development Assistant; Weeraman, Development Assistant; Piyasara, Development Assistant, Weeraman; took care of the arrangements, keeping in mind our traditions, customs, and hospitality. The Sri Lankan area not only reflected the country's ambience, but the Sri Lankan way of life as well.

Dancers

Channa Fernando and his team from Sovereign Hotel were in charge of running the Sri Lankan food stall in the food court area while Sanath Weerasooriya, Director, Development of the National Youth Services and his youthful dancers and singers were in charge of providing Sri Lanka style entertainment.

The Tea Board had a promotional stall within the area. The February 4, Independence Day of Sri Lanka, was celebrated as the Sri Lanka day at the venue.

The day began with singing of the National Anthem and unfurling of the National Flag by Senior Minister A.H.M. Fowzie who was the chief guest whle MP Malini Fonseka, actor, was the guest of honour.

The other prominent participants were the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in New Delhi Prasad Kariyawasam, Kapila Fonseka, Minister Counsellor at the High Commission, and Adhikari Additional Secretary, Ministry of Traditional Industries and Self -Employment Promotion.

From the Indian side, Jaya Jetly, the famous crafts activist and Chairperson of Daskari Haat Samithi of New Delhi, Sumithra Misra, Managing Director of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela Authority, Rajesh Joon, Nodal Officer and many other officials of the Mela Authority were also present. Milk Rice (Kiribath) and traditional sweetmeats were, served to all including visitors to the Sri Lankan area within the venue. Songs from Sri Lanka played throughout the day interspersed with Kandyan and Folk dances of Sri Lanka.

The day concluded with a gala concert and variety entertainment by the Sri Lanka Youth Dance Troupe of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development.