Rajasthan to be focus at India Fair

Culture, heritage and tourism attractions of the northwestern Indian state of Rajasthan will be the main crowd puller at this year's India Fair, which in its eighth year, will be the biggest ever and will cost Dh2 million, according to organisers.

India Fair at this year's Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) will spread over 6,360 sq.m. and have 205 stalls, of which 190 featuring handicraft products from various parts of India and 15 stalls at the food court offering the most authentic Indian cuisine.

Famous exhibits include, carpets and rugs, Jaipuri Rajai, wooden items, metal craft, silver furniture, terracota pots, Gujarati patra work, iron and bead craft, brass ware, sandalwood, agarbatti, leather goods, semi precious stones, pearls, oxidised, silver, lac and stone jewellery, phulkari items, Lucknawi embroidery, Kolkatta cutwork, patchwork ladies suits, woolen suits, Kashmiri chain stitch and woollen shawls, sequence dresses, Gujarati zari work, Punjabi jooti and Pochampally sarees, among others.

India Fair, as usual, remains one of the most popular attractions of the Global Village this year with hundreds of workers working against deadline. A team of 45 artists and craftsmen have been flown in to create the replicas of some of the most sought after forts and facades of Rajasthan.

This year, Indian Association had partnered with the Rajasthan state government to promote the most colourful destination in India.

As Dr George Joseph, Indian consul general, rightly said, "The heart of the Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) is the Global Village and the heart of the Global Village is Indian Pavilion.

"This year, organisers of our pavilion is featuring the most colourful state of India, Rajasthan, at the fair which will create interest among the visitors."

Jaipur, the Pink City of India will be the theme for the India Fair 2003 with exclusive Rajasthan Village that will have 15 stalls.

B.M. Birla Auditorium, built in the 20th century will be replicated as the front fascia of Indian Pavilion with two huge entrance gates, spanning across the 86 metre length of the pavilion the fascia will be 17 metres high.

Hawa Mahal, known as the palace of winds which was built in 1799, will be recreated as the backdrop for the exclusive stage inside the Indian pavilion.

A replica of the Palace on Wheels, the most luxurious train plying in the entire network of Indian Railways, is also being constructed. Promoted by the Rajasthan Tourism Develop-ment Corporation, this train takes visitors through the exotic locations in Rajasthan.

This year, Zee TV will be the exclusive Hindi TV channel present at the India Fair during the 32 days, covering various aspects of the fair.

It will run its own cultural and promotional events at the fair.

Asianet TV will be the exclusive Malayalam TV channel present at the India Fair during the 32 days.

A series of cultural events will take place at the main stage with 10 major concerts featuring artistes to be flown in from India.

Street performers from India will entertain the visitors moving around the India Fair.

K.V. Shankar, organiser of India Fair said, there will be surprise events planned to celebrate India's Republic Day on January 26, as part of the India Fair activities.

"We are planning some surprise events for our Republic Day celebrations. For our weekend concerts, we are going to feature a good number of new talents courtesy to Magnasound at our main stage," he said.

B.M. Birla Auditorium, built in the 20th century will be replicated as the front facia of Indian Pavilion with two huge entrance gates, spanning across the 86 metre length of the pavilion the facia will be 17 metres high.