Bhubaneswar, Dec 12:

To offer an open forum to artists, artisans and connoisseurs for interaction, the Odisha government will organise the 11th Toshali National Craft Mela-2016 here.

The mela will be organised from December 15 to 27 at Janata Maidan here.

"Artisans, weavers, painters and sculptors from all over the country will participate in the event and exhibit their traditional and contemporary handicraft and handloom products," said Handloom and Textiles Minister Snehangini Chhuria.

The state government expects around 15 lakh people to visit the mela this year and sale of merchandise worth approximately Rs 15 crore. In 2015, the mela witnessed a footfall of 15 lakh people and Rs 15.19 crore worth business was achieved.

The minister said the crafts mela has already carved a niche of its own in the country's annual carnival calendar.

It is aimed to strengthen the position of the weavers and artisans who are economically deprived by creating market for their products. It would also preserve and nurture the traditional art forms, handicrafts and handlooms of India, she added.

This year the mela will accommodate 350 handicraft and handloom stalls. A food court of 30 food stalls set by exclusive hotels and restaurants will offer delicious, multi-cuisine food to visitors along with the traditional Odia cuisine.

The mela will host cultural programmes each evening. Public will get an opportunity to enjoy the evergreen music performance of the versatile Bollywood singers Kavita Krishnamurthy and Amit Sana.

Keeping in view of the demonetisation this year, steps are being taken to open at least five ATMs inside the mela ground. Steps are also being taken for e-money transfer facility inside the ground to help in easy business transactions, said the minister. (IANS)