Winter Mela celebrates spirit of Christmas

Hand-knit woolens and rugs, fruit preserves, spices, herbs, beverages and much more -- all produce from the mountains are on display here at a winter mela celebrating the spirit of Christmas.
"We try to bring in the flavours of every season to the forefront. Winter mela is about woolens, shawls and things for Christmas like plum cakes and decorations," says Laila Tyabji, founder and chairperson, Dastkar.
The 'Winter Mela 2015' by Dastkar has brought over 25 producer groups from all over the world who are showcasing textiles, crafts, hand-knitted woolens, rugs and safe foods like fruit preserves, spices, herbs, beverages, chamomile tea, coffee, honey and quinoa.

"Products from mountainous regions are the focus of the Mela like walnuts, honey basically the local organic produce followed by handicrafts and textile of the region," says Tyabji.
Aimed at promoting mountain products that can help improve livelihoods and boost mountain economies in a sustainable manner, produce from Afghanistan, Altai Republic, Bolivia, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Madagascar, Mongolia, Nepal, Panama, Peru, Tajikistan, and the Indian Himalayan Region, the bazaar promises to offer a diversity of crafts and cultures.
"Products at the mela is the specialty of the region and I would suggest people to keep an open mind and spend a good two hours to pick up unique stuff from 18 different nations who have participated in the fair," says Tyabji.

Traditional bodo weaving textiles from Assam, warm woolen shawls, stoles, jackets and scarves from Himachal Pradesh, a colourful variety of Felt Namda carpets with a range patterns from Kashmir, Pashminas from Ladakh, recently revived group of Mubarakpur Weavers from Uttar Pradesh, handmade wicker-work baskets, boxes and more for your home from Jammu and Kashmir are being displayed at the Mela.

"It's important to buy handicrafts to encourage the local talent and produce of a region. When a customer buys a product from the vendors it's a win-win situation for both the parties. We have silver jewelry from Afghanistan, Pashmina from Jammu and Kashmir and many more products," says Tyabji.

A food court featuring delicacies from Bengal, Kashmir, Himachal, Maharashtra and Rajasthan promises to be a crowd puller along with the weaves and knits, herbal and organic healthcare and beauty products.
Cultural performance like folk dance performance by troupes from Gadhwal and Kumaon, Rajasthani folk dance performance, Algoza will be an integral part of the Mela.
The fair is set to continue till December 28 at Nature Bazzar venue.