Pinnacle of CRAFT expositions

T Arjuna

If one were to search for the current abode of Vishwakarma: the lord of the arts, executor of a thousand handicrafts, the carpenter of the gods, the fashioner of all ornaments, the most eminent of artisans, who formed the celestial chariots of the deities, on whose craft men subsist, a great and immortal god; one need not search far.

Press conference at Surajkund

Sri Lankan dance performance

Taking a closer look

Visit Surajkund, an ancient reservoir of the 10th century located in Haryana, India, and stumble upon serendipity. Each year, as spring begins to dawn, and the chill of Delhi commence to fade, this little ‘Lake of the Sun’ (literal meaning of Surajkund) comes alive. Just as the Nelumbium nelumbo, the sacred lotus of India blooms with the advent of the sun and exudes its fragrance; come February, Surajkund blossoms forth, resplendent and alive, with crafts and craftsperson.

No nation is as vibrant as India when it comes to showcasing its crafts. Understandable: Indian mythology gave the world the great architect of the universe, Vishwakarma – the progenitor of all crafts and trade in crafts. From 1st to 15th February, year on year, the cosmic world of crafts comes alive in Surakjund, a hamlet sitting in the base of the Aravalli hill ranges, believed to be peopled from stone age, in the proximity of Delhi.

The finest handlooms, handicrafts, authentic fragrances, and flavours of rich Indian cuisines, and that of other countries, are 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, crafts-work 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, partake of this extravaganza and convert it into a celebration of merriment and festivity. In its 27th year since inception in 1987, the festival gains strength by the year; nurtured with care and concern by the Government of Haryana, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs.

According to the lore of Lanka, Vishwakarma, the celestial architect, is supposed to have built the city of Lanka. Thus, it is but natural that the crafts-persons from Sri Lanka should eventually gravitate towards the current abode of the master craftsman. For the first time, in 2008, a small contingent from Sri Lanka took part in the craft festival at Surajkund on an invitation extended, by the SAARC division in the Ministry of External Affairs of the Government of India, through the office of the High Commissioner for India in Colombo, and facilitated by the National Craft Council of Sri Lanka.

Since then, the Sri Lankan contingent has grown from strength to strength due to the efforts of the current Chairman, Buddhi Keerthisena, of the National Craft Council and the support rendered by the concerned Ministry and its Minister. This year Sri Lanka even had a ‘Kopi Kade’ style hopper shop in the food court area of the Mela, and a dance troupe courtesy Ministry of Youth Affairs, Government of Sri Lanka.

In honour of the enlarged contingent, which this year totaled an all time high of 34 persons – crafts personnel and officials included – led by the inimitable, never tiring and hardworking Buddhi Keerthisena, the Chairman, the organizing committee of the Surajkund Craft Mela dedicated February 12th as a Sri Lanka day. On that day, the entire area of Surajkund was adorned with the lion flag of Sri Lanka. At the appointed hour, the National Flag was raised. The National Anthem played.

The High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in New Delhi, the Commissioner of Handicrafts of the Government of India, the Secretary of the Haryana Tourism Ministry, Chairman of the National Crafts Council of Sri Lanka Buddhi Keerthisena, crafts persons, Sri Lankan dance contingent and many Sri Lankan nationals living in Delhi graced the occasion. Sri Lankan sweetmeats, was served all around.

The day witnessed a record crowd – more than the usual one-lakh visitors and the Sri Lankan Crafts area was thronged. Probably, it was on that day that all Sri Lankan craftsmen’s stalls, ran dry of materials.

The interest generated on that one day alone would have generated a multitude of tourists to Sri Lanka for such was the enthusiasm shown by the visitors for Sri Lankan products and for Sri Lanka as a country. There was no need for further proof of the love and affections the Indians have for Sri Lanka. February 12th 2013 demonstrated it, without doubt, and with certainty, tourism to Sri Lanka was the biggest gainer of the day, apart from the Crafts of Lanka. It is indeed a wonder how events such as these benefit our tourist industry. Of course, praise for all this must vest in Mr Buddhi Keerthisena. For without his untiring efforts, none of this would have been made possible. He made the country, its President, and the people proud. It is pity indeed that they could not witness the tremendous goodwill this day generated.

Obeisance demands that the present practitioners of the arts and trades of Vishwakarma exhibit skills and expertness befitting a disciple of the god. Sri Lankan handicrafts-persons proved that they were second-to-none, when it comes to craftsmanship.

Their handicrafts were so popular that most of it sold out long before the closing date of the exhibition. Indians loved the Sri Lankan crafts. In fact, most Indians expressed an inexplicable affection for Sri Lanka that surpassed mere civility. Whilst it is true that the culture and customs of the two countries are, intertwined and merge in the mist of time; destiny definitely took a different course. However, a mysterious bond binds the hearts of the people of the two nations together, with the umbilical cord of civilization.

Witness to this was the camaraderie exhibited between the crafts persons of the two nations and the goodwill generated amongst the people. Thus, next year, hopefully, Sri Lanka will advance to the stage of being invited to be a partner country at the Surajkund International Craft Mela. Another befitting beginning of an abiding partnership.