Gramashree Mela is a national-level exhibition on art and craft. It provides an opportunity to self-help groups (SHGs) engaged in micro-economic activities to market their products.

The exhibition has been organised by Orissa Rural Development and Marketing Society (ORMAS), an outfit of the Panchayati Raj Department and is sponsored by CAPART, Ministry of Rural Development, with an objective to support the artisans and revive the dying art and crafts of rural India. Around 274 stalls are erected and SHGs from 12 states are participating in this exhibition.

In the stall of Dhenkanal, one can find the beautifully designed straw handicraft of deities and wall hangings. The stall owner said, “These straws comes in three colours like white, yellow and brown and by cutting we place them to form different crafts.” If you wish to give your home a Jodha Akbar look, just step into the terracotta stalls of Keonjhar and Sonepur and you can find the rattling pair of horse, elephants and lamps; all made of terracotta. Other states sales booth include- Imli wood products from Karnataka, Banarsi Silk sarees from Benaras, Phulkari dress materials of Punjab, food items such as spices, pickles and confectionaries, etc. The most demanded item of this exhibition is the pure Rock bee honey of ORMAS brand from the simlipal forest of Mayurbhanj.

Each day cultural events like Kathak dance by keyachand and group of kolkata, Bharatnatyam by Santanu Chakraborty and group of New Delhi and Odissi dance are performed here. Competitions like Musical chair, Quiz, Song and Laughter competitions are organized for the school and college students. Prizes for the above and the best stall prize were awarded by Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on March 15.

How to participate?

Free entry

Timing

10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Place

Exhibition Ground, Unit III, Bhubaneswar