Faridabad:
The popular annual Surajkund crafts Mela will kick off from Friday in the avatar of an international fair with 21 countries participating in the 15-day long cultural and handicrafts extravaganza.
"Taking a huge leap from last year, the festival this year has been upgraded as 'international', and 21 countries from Africa, Eurasia and SAARC nations would participate," said Vijai Vardhan, Haryana's Principal Secretary (Tourism) and Vice Chairman of the Mela.
President Pranab Mukherjee will inaugurate the annual cultural and handicrafts extravaganza, with Karnataka as its theme state, on February 2.
The Mela would showcase the archaeological heritage of Karnataka, the traditional dance of Yakshagana with display of finest handicrafts and handlooms from across the country and abroad.
"The concept behind the festival is to showcase India's rich cultural and archaeological heritage. The aim of the festival is to portray a microcosm of entire India," said Parvez Dewan, Secretary Tourism, Government of India.
With the increasing popularity and vibrance of the festival with each passing year, the area of the festival this year has been increased by 2.5 acres to 40 acres.
With Karnataka as theme state, 150 artisans from the state would display their crafts and textiles. A total number of 770 artisans would participate in the festival.
"This is the first year when a state is having four gates showcasing its monumental diversity and heritage. The state will also showcase its artistic richness with Bidriware works, bronze items from Nagamangala to Mysore paintings among other items," said Anand Mohan Sharma, Haryana's DG Tourism.
The festival would feature cultural programmes with artists not only Karnataka but also from 13 zonal cultural centres across the country showcasing their works.
The visitors could enjoy from Carnatic music to Qawwali and sufi songs to piano orchestra from Malaysia.
On Karnataka's theme, state's Additional Chief Secretary (Tourism) Arvind Jadhav said, "We will represent the three main features of Karnataka -- 'colour', 'soil' and 'culture'.
Not only arts and crafts but we will also present four different cuisines from the state."
February 9 would be celebrated as Karnataka Day at the festival with the special attraction of a fashion show by Prasad Bidappa.
Also, Karnataka shaped golf-course has been designed at the festival for lovers of teh sport.
Ensuring security in the Mela, Faridabad's Commisioner of Police Shatrujeet Kapoor said "the entire festival area is covered with CCTV cameras with night vision facility as well.
We have also set-up help desks for women manned by members from NGOs and women police personnel".
The organisers of the festival have imposed a complete ban on polythene this year and even installed bio-toilets.
The tickets of the festival will be also be available online.
B Jayshree, a Rajya Sabha member from Karnataka and also a recipeint of Padam Shree this year, said "the festival is very important not only for artists and artisans from Karnataka but whole of India. The festival helps us to understand our sanskriti, parampara and culture."