Bhubaneswar: A visual delight for visitors, a shopper's paradise and a craft collector's haven, Toshali National Crafts Mela was officially inaugurated yesterday at Janata Maidan in Bhubaneswar.

The 12th edition of this gala fair was declared open by Snehangini Chhuria, Minister for Handlooms, Textiles and Handicrafts, the organiser of the event, who has been putting up the show for the last 11 years.

The inaugural evening saw Odissi dance performances with hordes of young and enthusiastic dancers milling about and taking selfies and groupies with friends and family.

While many of the sellers were still setting up shops and organising their merchandise for display to the public, others were calling out to potential buyers and inviting them to purchase their products.

Fabrics, sarees and apparels from all corners of Odisha, along with the famed filigree work of Cuttack, applique work of Pipili along with Sambalpuri sarees, straight from weavers of Sambalpur and Sonepur have set up stalls to woo customers.

Sculptors from all corners of Odisha, with their unique and elegant sculptures for interior decoration, cratsfmen with their brasswork utensils, Dhokra work artefacts, Pattachitra paintings, etc. are all set to attract footfall, while preserving traditional art forms of Odisha.

From scented candles and incense sticks of Pondicherry to Kutchi-embroidered handbags, this exhibition-cum-sale is a melting pot of cutural flavour with artisans, weavers, painters and sculptors from all over the country and will continue till Dec 27.

Madhubani painted lamp shades, heavy pieces of oxidised silver jewellery from Andhra Pradesh, tussar silk salwar suit pieces from Assam and jootis and mojris from Patiala, wax bangles from Rajasthan are some of the much-visited kiosks in the Mela.

The aroma wafting from the food court, that comprises of 30-odd counters of an array of delactable cuisines is another inviting section with neatly set-up round tables, chairs and even disposal bins.

A special shoutout to the ladies who are looking to upgrade their jewellery collection with a diverse range of earrings, necklaces, bangles, anklets, stick-on nose rings, jewellery sets, etc. as Toshali Mela has rows and rows of these in a variety of designs and patterns to cater to accessories need of the women of the capital city.

Odisha's singing sensation Satyajeet Jena, Bollywood singer Javed Ali are set to perform at this event, along with a fashion show to be hosted by Boyanika and National Institute of Fashion Technology (Bhubaneswar), including dance performances from Ganjam, western Odisha, Assam and music recital by diffrently-abled artists.