The 9th edition of the Sargaalaya International Crafts Fair will begin at Sargaalaya Arts and Crafts Village at Iringal in the district on December 19. Over 500 craftspeople from the country and abroad are expected to participate in the annual event, which will showcase the splendour of handicrafts and traditional arts.
Minister for Excise and Labour T.P. Ramakrishnan, who reviewed the arrangements for the fair at a meeting here on Monday, said Governor Arif Mohammad Khan would open the fair. “Along with the Indian craftspeople, delegates from Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Uganda, Mauritius Nepal, and Zimbabwe will also be attending the two-week-long fest,” he said.
Mr. Ramakrishnan said the fair would be a boost to the State’s growing tourism industry and an opportunity for the native craftspeople to display their talents in arts and crafts. “An exclusive pavilion to display the uniqueness of Indian pottery and the dexterity of potters will be one of the attractions of the event,” he said.
Sargaalaya officials said a heritage village pavilion set up under the State government’s Rural Art Hub project would add colour to the fair. The traditional art forms of various States with focus on the life and culture of Adivasis would be showcased at the pavilion, they said.
Apart from art and cultural events, an exclusive tourism conclave to discuss the tourism potential of Kerala will be held at the Crafts Village on January 5. It will be addressed by Tourism Ministers and officials from various States.
