With the seventh edition of the Sargaalaya International Arts and Crafts Festival at the Sargaalaya Art and Craft Village at Iringal near here coming to a close on Monday, the festival has received a footfall of more than 1.5 lakh in the last 18 days. The handicraft heritage village, handloom street and Kalari village set up as part of the festival has been major attractions for the tourists this year.
Besides, craft items made by about 400 artisans, around 35 of them national or State award winners, from all over the country are also on display.
However, the recurring traffic blocks on peak days, a consequence of the congestion on Moorad bridge nearby, was a major setback for the festival.
“We had the maximum footfall this season on January 2. It created much congestion on the national highway,” said P.P. Bhaskaran, chief executive officer, Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village.
He said a permanent solution to the traffic problems would have to be chalked out to ensure the smooth flow of visitors to the crafts village.
Cultural programmes
“The complaint that cultural performances organised as part of the festival were not up to the mark cannot be addressed,” he said.
“If people are coming to the village only for cultural programmes, it would defeat the purpose of organising this festival. We need genuine craft lovers to come,” said Mr. Bhaskaran.
However, the management has plans to incorporate Theyyam and Kalarippayattu in the coming season.
“We plan to incorporate Theyyam performances, Theyyam make-up workshops, exhibition of Theyyam miniatures, Kalarippayattu performances, Kalari health care programmes and interactive seminars in the next season. But the final decision is with the Tourism Department,” said Mr. Bhaskaran.
