Hyderabad: More than 550 artisans from across the country are taking part in the 11th All-India Crafts Mela presently on at Shilparamam.The Crafts Mela is on till 31st December.

The displays at the 15-day mela include shawls, dry flowers from Jammu and Kashmir, sea shell crafts and rosewood furniture from Karnataka, beads jewellery and jute crafts from Kerala, bamboo crafts and `punja durry' from Maharashtra, bags and carpets from Sikkim.

Artisans from West Bengal, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab are also participating in the event. Coinciding with the mela, various folk and classical art from different States would also be presented at Shilparamam.

The cultural events lined up include `Dollu Kunita' from Karnataka, `Kaaliyattam' from Kerala, `Badhai Nritya' and `Garma Nritya' from Madhya Pradesh.

The daily cultural programmes which starts at 6.30 Pm would also have various folk forms of the State and include `Palle Suddulu', `Chekka Bhajana', `Beerappa Dollu', `Guravayyalu' and `Tholu Bommalata'.

-MK
Reachout's News Bureau
December' 2004