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Surajkund Festival 2023: Major Highlights and Attractions

Surajkund Festival is one of the main attractions in India. Held during the first fortnight of each February in Faridabad, Haryana, the mela celebrates Indian culture and folk traditions. This year, the festival took place from February 3 to February 19, featuring various regional and international crafts, handlooms, customs, and cuisines. 

Image Source: Times of India

Major Attractions

Bringing national and international artists together, the 36th Surajkund Festival was a blast. It brought together several cabinet ministers, such as the Ministry of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, and External Affairs. This year’s theme state was the North Eastern area, and the partner country was the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Following are the main attractions of the Surajkund festival that you cannot miss at all costs! 

1. Theme State – Concept

The concept of theme state was introduced in 1989 and since then it has become the main high point of the Mela. The concept was formed keeping in mind the motive to promote art, craft, and cuisine of every state of India while giving focus to a particular state each year. It aims to showcase the finest traditions of a state and hence alleviate the living standards of its artisans and folk artists. 

The current year’s theme state is titled ‘India’s Ashtalakshmi – a North Easter Odyssey’. The linguistic and cultural diversity of the region is breathtaking. It’s rich in the vibrant culture and heritage of various indigenous tribes and sub-tribes while being a gene pool of rich diversity. With the theme as NER, the event rightfully portrayed the vibrancy of the whole of the North East. 

2. Handicraft, Food, and Folk Performances

Like its name, Surajkund, the festival is full to the brim with expert craftsmanship and creativity of people belonging to different cultures, regions, and countries. Along with various scrupulous Indian meals, there are amazing folk performances that you can witness. 

This year witnessed some amazing shows and performances, including the Northeast Fashion Show by the Tetseo Sisters, Fashion Show of Benarasi Handloom by FDCI,  India & Handloom Fashion Show by FDCI, Jugalbandi Fusion Dance Performance followed by Percussionist, dance by an international dance troupe, Fashion show & fusion dance performance, etc. 

3. Musical evenings 

Mela and fun evenings cannot go on without beautiful music nights. This year the people with graced with various Indian and Indian folk singers including Malini Awasthi, Mika Singh, Renuka Pawar & Pranjal Dahiya, Mame Khan, Krishna Beura & Band, Kaka, India’s Pop and Rock Band Euphoria, and Sabri Brothers. 

Features of the Surajkund Festival

One of the most prestigious features is how the Shanghai Cooperation Organization exhibited its cultural forms, handicrafts, and traditional artisans. It also held various competitions for school students and exporters. A meet was organized during the Mela fortnight to offer a ready support system for craftspersons to access and tap the export market. It also featured a multi-cuisine Food Court that provided ethnic cuisines from all over the world. 

Conclusion

As a form of cultural appraisal, the Surajkund Festival also offers a stunning insight into the historical background and traditional beauty of hidden India. A culmination of art, food, folk dance, and music shows, the festival is the best place for you to spend your time, revisit the Indian heritage and folk traditions, and get closer than ever to experiencing cultural bliss. 

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