A week long fair, Bengal Craft Mela, was organised in the Capital by Banglanatak dot com that started off on 24 August at Netaji Subhash Hall, Chittranjan Park Kali Mandir premises. 25 rural artistes from over ten villages of Bengal participated in the mela that displayed crafts which are not easily found in the urban markets. Sitalpati from Ghughumari in Coochbehar, wooden masks from Kushmandi in Dakshin Dijanpur, clay dolls from Krishnanagar in Nadia, Dokra from Bardhman and Bankura, wooden dolls from Notungram in Bardhman, Terracotta from Panchmurah, Chau masks from Purulia, Kantha embroidery from Nanoor in Birbhum, Patachitra and Madurkathi from Medinipur were some of the crafts displayed at the mela.
The event also featured Baul music everyday followed by interactive sessions with the artistes who explained more about their crafts and the process of making them. Handicraft products were also sold at the fair and bulk orders were also taken.
Bengal Craft Mela was a journey to develop rural craft hubs. The mela was a part of the initiative, Art for Life,led by Banglanatak dot com to create direct market linkage for rural craft hubs in Bengal, supported by Department of Micro Small and Medium Enterprise and , (MSMET), Govt. of West Bengal and UNESCO.