Bhubaneswar, Mar 25: With 390 handloom and handicraft stalls, Toshali National Crafts Mela 2025 this year presents an unparalleled showcase of local artisanship. People can shop and explore authentic, handloom and handcrafted products directly from the artisans due to the presence of 150 weavers and artisans from various states who have established their stalls.
With professional weavers showcasing their expertise live at their stalls. One can see a large range of traditional fabrics like Kalamkari, Khadi, Pochampally Ikkat, Banarasi sarees, and Odisha handloom famous textiles, including Bomkai and Sambalpuri sarees.
The biggest draw and enticement about the handloom stalls is for people to watch the weavers live in action, weaving delicate designs on the traditional loom.
The activity is a festival of weaving as an art, with live demonstrations so that one can see the art form being created before one's eyes.
There are handicraft stalls at the mela that provide an amazing array of products ranging from wooden carvings to metal sculptures to stone carvings.
Patta Chitra paintings are a big attraction here, where artists paint mythological stories onto beautifully embroidered cloth. The mela also includes Applique work, a bright colorful art from the area, where fabrics are stitched together to produce lovely patterns and designs, which are generally meant for decorative purposes.
Tourists may also discover an extensive range of terracotta artifacts, brassware, pottery, hand-made jewelry, and embroidered fabrics originating from various regions of India.
These handicrafts not only showcase the nation's artistic heritage but also give tourists the opportunity to bring home genuine, handmade items that personify the country's culture and artistry.
One of the draws of the festival is the live demonstration section, where people get to witness artists sculpting sculptures, weaving textiles, and painting beautiful works before their very eyes. Individuals are able to appreciate the effort and craftsmanship that goes into creating each item due to this hands-on experience, which enhances the cultural experience.
In addition to handicrafts and handlooms, the Toshali Mela offers an Indian food tour. The food court is a big draw, with a variety of regional cuisine available from all over the country. The food stalls have something for every taste, whether you're in the mood for the spicy delights of Hyderabadi Biryani, the sour delight of Pani Puri, or the creamy taste of Dalma and Rasgulla of Odisha. The festival offers a flavorful mouthful.
Toshali Mela has been an annual affair in Bhubaneswar for nearly 20 years, and it always draws wide crowds. The festival makes sure that the magic of India's diverse handicraft and culinary delights is nurtured and sustained by giving local and regional artists an opportunity to deal directly with customers as well as backing them.
