Chandigarh News|Chandīgarh: On this occasion, the 14th National Crafts Fair is celebrated with the theme Rhythm of India and Color of India. On Friday, Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria started by playing the drums. This fair is organized under the joint auspices of Northern Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala and Department of Arts and Culture, Chandigarh. When the governor reached Kalagram, officials and popular artistes playing musical instruments gave him a grand welcome. The Governor highly appreciated the zodiac signs carved on the stones installed at the fair and highly praised the artists.
Trustee Gulab Chand Kataria said Raj Bhavan has extended all possible help to honor the artists. I want artists to be respected in every corner of the country and that is our responsibility. There are still many artists hidden in the villages. I request director Furkan Khan ji to find him and bring him here. We will give them the respect they deserve. On this occasion, many officials including administrator’s wife Anita Kataria, advisor Rajeev Verma, Tourism Secretary Mandeep Brar, Tourism Director Pradyuman Singh, HCS and Sports Director Saurabh Arora were present.
Inaugurating the camp set up by Lalit Kala Academy Chandigarh, the Governor also got a glimpse of the village of Punjab. After the opening ceremony, a special musical performance of 51 musical instruments was presented on stage, which was rehearsed under the direction of director Furkan Khan. The presentation was called “Rhythm of India” and then folk dances from 14 states captivated everyone. This dance was prepared by choreographer Sushil Sharma on the theme “Colour of India” and then Sufi singer Kanwar Grewal concluded the dance. Programs based on popular arts continued throughout the day. The Folk Art Sadhak (Lifetime Achievement) awards were also presented on this occasion. In the folk dance category, artist Durga Devi from Rajasthan’s Terhtaal and boy Ram Thakur from Himachal Pradesh received the award. While in the field of folk music, Des Raj Lachkani from Punjab and Gujri singer “Begum Jaan” from Jammu and Kashmir received the Lifetime Achievement Award. The four artists received a draft of Rs 2.5 lakh each, along with a plaque and a shawl. For the first time, two youth awards were also presented at the fair. The selection committee chose Manoj Jale from Haryana and Sudhanshu Bisht from Uttarakhand for the Youth Award. They were honored on stage with a draft of Rs 1 lakh each, along with a plaque and a shawl. The heritage trail built at the fair also attracted everyone and there was a crowd here. The Governor said in his speech… Sufi singer Kanwar Grewal made the audience dance on ‘Nachna Painda Hai’ and made them dance on ‘Mastan De Vede’. On the first day of the National Crafts Fair, Punjabi Sufi singer Kanwar Grewal created a. atmosphere. He did it. He forced people to dance to his songs and also made them happy. He sang “Nachna Painda Hai”, “Na jaane mastaan de vede mast bana de gay biba” and “Chhalla”. Apart from this, he also enthralled everyone with songs like “Tiktaan Do Lainli”, “Rang Kartar De”, etc. Kanwar Grewal said that I have always liked singing on such open stages. The people who come here know how to listen. They make a good couple and that is very important for a singer. The audience generates an enthusiasm that reaches to the depths of the singer. He said that my goal has always been to sing those songs that reach everyone’s home. The whole family could sit together and listen to it and watch it. If someone learns life from that song, it will be like the icing on the cake for me. Regarding modern songs, he said that I want to tell everyone that the music industry is like a market and everything is sold here. It’s up to us what we want to buy. We will hear and see everything we like to hear or see. Therefore, listen to Changa, see Changa, develop the habit of reading Changa. Make good idols, follow them and adopt their good things in life. Attractions on November 30: Punjabi singer Gurnam Bhullar will perform in the evening. } Programs based on popular arts will continue throughout the day at the fair.
