CHANDIGARH, December 2-The ongoing 15th Chandigarh National Crafts Mela, a joint venture of the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC) and the UT Administration, has emerged as an unique confluence of cultural heritage of the country, offering composite colours of various states.

A quiz contest was held, which attracted 550 students from, besides various Tricity schools, students from schools Patiala, Ropar and Shutrana (Samana-Patran area).The contest is held daily where the winners are awarded.

An on-the-spot photography competition on the theme "Glimpses from Crafts Mela" was also held under the aegis of Chandigarh Lalit Kala Akademy on the theme "Glimpses from Crafts Mela. The entries received in the first phase - Nov 28 to December 1 were shortlisted.The following were declared winners of the competition.
Rashmita Kanojia (Ist), Gautam Mehta (2nd) and Najum Luthra. The awards were jointly given by the NZCC and CLKA, said Bheem Malhotra, Chairman.

Earlier in the day, colourful stage performances included prominent folk dances of various states in the morning included Chari (Raj), Songi (Maha), Lavani (Maha), Bihu (Assam), Barsana Ki Holi (UP), and , Natua (WB), which evoked a huge round of applause from the audience.

The dances performed in the evening segment, were Sammi (Pb), Panthi (Chhattisgarh) Hozagiri (Tripura) Chakri (Raj) and Dhamali (J&K).

Pandavi Gayan was presented by Sampriya Pooja Nishad from Chhattisgarh 4 to 5.30 pm, which invoked thunderous applause from those present.

The ground performances including Kachi Ghori (Raj), ‘Nachar’ and Bazigar party (Pb), and ‘Been-Jogi’ and ‘Nagada’ from Haryana, which turned out to be hot spots for Mela freaks, who even took time off to shake a leg with them and click selfies.

It was a field day for foodies, who had an array of traditional cuisines and culinary flavours from various states, to choose from. Rajasthani dal bati churma, to Gujarati sev poori, were hit with the young and the old alike, and so were Litti chokha from Purvanchal, makki ki roti and saag from Punjab, among others, which attracted foodies to tickle their taste buds. For the sweet tooth, ‘Jalebi’, and garam ‘Gulab-jamun’, moong dal halwa were the hot favourite. Himachali 'Siddu' was a go to food choice for City food lovers.

Tots were on cloud nine to enjoy camel rides, and amusement games for kids were the added attractions at the Mela.

A steady rush of buyers was witnessed at the stalls showcasing handicraft items, like jewelry crockery, woolen shawls, stols and mufflers, heavy duty cardigans, jackets and Himachali

The evening performers of the day were Indian Idol fame singer Anuj Sharma and Khushboo Bhardwaj, aka the Nightingale of Kullu (Himachal Pradesh) brought alive the soulful strains of the Pahadi folk music, doling UT their hit numbers, besides Bollywood numbers. Khushboo started the programme, invoking Lord Shiva, doling out the popular bhajan "Shiv kailashon ke baasi...", "Issa garaien diya lambda, inhan chhoruan jo...", "Maaye ni meriye Shimle di raahe Chamba Kitni k door...", and Rohru jana meri ammiye". This was followed by Ganesha 'stutti' by Anuj Sharma, with "Deva Shri Ganesha.. ", "ikk Hasina thi...", "Eh dil hai mushkil...","Meri umar ke naujawano...", "Dil lai geyi Gujarat di", besides some Pahadi folk songs.

Prominent singer Vidhi Deshwal, a singing sensation from Haryana, will be star singer on December 3.

The annual fair to continue till December 7