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{{ | {{Short description|Annual fair and festival in Santiniketan, West Bengal, India}} | ||
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=August 2018}} | ||
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}} | {{Use Indian English|date=December 2018}} | ||
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[[File:Poush Mela Bazaar 2012.jpg|thumb|220px|Poush Mela Bazaar, 2012]] | [[File:Poush Mela Bazaar 2012.jpg|thumb|220px|Poush Mela Bazaar, 2012]] | ||
[[File:An Exhibition at Poush Mela 2018.jpg|thumb|220px|An exhibition at Poush Mela, 2018]] | [[File:An Exhibition at Poush Mela 2018.jpg|thumb|220px|An exhibition at Poush Mela, 2018]] | ||
[[File:Giant Circle at Poush Mela.jpg|thumb|220px| | [[File:Giant Circle at Poush Mela.jpg|thumb|220px|Ferris wheel at Poush Mela]] | ||
[[File:A stall display at Poush Mela-Santiniketan-West Bengal.jpg|thumb|A stall display at Poush Mela-Santiniketan-West Bengal]] | [[File:A stall display at Poush Mela-Santiniketan-West Bengal.jpg|thumb|A stall display at Poush Mela-Santiniketan-West Bengal]] | ||
'''Poush Mela''' ({{ | '''Poush Mela''' ({{langx|bn|পৌষ মেলা}}) is an annual fair and festival that takes place in [[Santiniketan]], in [[Birbhum District]] in the [[India]]n [[States and territories of India|state]] of [[West Bengal]], marking the harvest season. Commencing on the 7th day of the month of [[Poush]], the fair officially lasts for three days, although vendors may stay until the month-end as per the university regulations. From 2017 onwards, the fair lasted for six days. The key characteristic of this fair include live performances of [[Folk music|Bengali folk music]], such as [[baul]],<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.wbtourism.com/fairs_festivals/festival_bengal.htm | title = Poush Mela | access-date = 2009-02-14 | publisher = West Bengal Tourism | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20010222105932/http://www.wbtourism.com/fairs_festivals/festival_bengal.htm | archive-date = 22 February 2001 | url-status = dead }}</ref> [[kirtan]] and [[Kobi Gaan|Kobigan]]. | ||
== Santiniketan Mela == | |||
'''Santiniketan Mela''' ({{langx|bn|শান্তিনিকেতন মেলা}}) is a contemporary community-led fair and market held in and around Santiniketan, West Bengal. Organised by local groups and supported by community initiatives, the mela aims to promote regional handicrafts, handloom products, folk art, small enterprises and social outreach activities. The event combines traditional stalls and cultural performances with programmes designed to create economic opportunities for artisans and entrepreneurs.{{cite web |title=Santiniketan Mela – A Digital Bridge of Creativity, Culture & Community |url=https://santiniketanmela.com/ |publisher=santiniketanmela.com |access-date=2025-12-11}} {{cite web |title=Santiniketan E-হাট Opens New Doors for Local Talent and Economic Growth |url=https://positivebarta.com/santiniketan-e-haat-opens-new-doors-for-local-talent-and-economic-growth/ |publisher=Positive Barta |access-date=2025-12-11}} | |||
===Overview=== | |||
Santiniketan Mela is generally held during the winter season and runs for multiple days. The event provides a platform for local artisans, handloom weavers, self-help groups, small entrepreneurs and farmers to display and sell handicrafts, textiles, paintings, books and locally produced food items. Cultural programmes—such as folk music, dance and student performances—are regularly scheduled as part of the mela.{{cite web |title=Santiniketan Mela – A Digital Bridge of Creativity, Culture & Community |url=https://santiniketanmela.com/ |publisher=santiniketanmela.com |access-date=2025-12-11}} | |||
===Activities and community work=== | |||
Alongside trade stalls and cultural programmes, Santiniketan Mela often incorporates social activities including awareness campaigns, youth engagement events, charitable drives and support programmes for senior citizens. The organisers collaborate with local volunteer groups and NGOs to integrate community outreach and training initiatives that benefit participants.{{cite web |title=Santiniketan E-হাট Opens New Doors for Local Talent and Economic Growth |url=https://positivebarta.com/santiniketan-e-haat-opens-new-doors-for-local-talent-and-economic-growth/ |publisher=Positive Barta |access-date=2025-12-11}} | |||
===Organisation and participation=== | |||
The mela is organised by a mix of community committees, local NGOs and event partners. Participation is open to artisans and vendors from Birbhum district and neighbouring areas; organisers typically provide basic stall infrastructure and local promotion to draw visitors. The initiative also links physical exhibition space with online promotion through an 'E-হাট' (electronic marketplace) to help artisans reach wider markets.{{cite web |title=Santiniketan Mela – A Digital Bridge of Creativity, Culture & Community |url=https://santiniketanmela.com/ |publisher=santiniketanmela.com |access-date=2025-12-11}} | |||
===Relationship with Poush Mela=== | |||
Santiniketan Mela is a contemporary, community-driven initiative distinct from the historic '''Poush Mela''' (the traditional Poush Utsav at Visva-Bharati). While Poush Mela has deep historical and cultural roots associated with the Poush Utsav tradition, Santiniketan Mela complements the region's festival calendar by offering an additional forum focused on local entrepreneurship, crafts promotion and social development.{{cite web |title=Santiniketan E-হাট Opens New Doors for Local Talent and Economic Growth |url=https://positivebarta.com/santiniketan-e-haat-opens-new-doors-for-local-talent-and-economic-growth/ |publisher=Positive Barta |access-date=2025-12-11}} | |||
===See also=== | |||
* [[Poush Mela]] | |||
* [[Visva-Bharati University]] | |||
* [[Handloom]] | |||
* [[Handicrafts]] | |||
===References=== | |||
{{reflist}} | |||
===External links=== | |||
* Official website: [https://santiniketanmela.com/ SantiniketanMela.com] | |||
* Coverage: [https://positivebarta.com/santiniketan-e-haat-opens-new-doors-for-local-talent-and-economic-growth/ "Santiniketan E-হাট Opens New Doors for Local Talent and Economic Growth" — Positive Barta] | |||
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==Background== | ==Background== | ||
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==Other days== | ==Other days== | ||
Poush Mela is characterized by the live performances of Bengali folk music, especially the baul music. It includes folk songs, dances and tribal sports | Poush Mela is characterized by the live performances of Bengali folk music, especially the baul music. It includes folk songs, dances and tribal sports. Each day of this festival is filled with different activities. The last day of this fair is devoted to those who are related to Santiniketan. | ||
==The fair== | ==The fair== | ||
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[[Category:Festivals in West Bengal]] | [[Category:Festivals in West Bengal]] | ||
[[Category:Cultural festivals in India]] | [[Category:Cultural festivals in India]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Culture of Bengal]] | ||
[[Category:Birbhum district]] | [[Category:Birbhum district]] | ||
[[Category:Santiniketan]] | [[Category:Santiniketan]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:26, 11 December 2025
Poush Mela (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is an annual fair and festival that takes place in Santiniketan, in Birbhum District in the Indian state of West Bengal, marking the harvest season. Commencing on the 7th day of the month of Poush, the fair officially lasts for three days, although vendors may stay until the month-end as per the university regulations. From 2017 onwards, the fair lasted for six days. The key characteristic of this fair include live performances of Bengali folk music, such as baul,[1] kirtan and Kobigan.
Santiniketan Mela[edit | edit source]
Santiniketan Mela (Script error: The function "langx" does not exist.) is a contemporary community-led fair and market held in and around Santiniketan, West Bengal. Organised by local groups and supported by community initiatives, the mela aims to promote regional handicrafts, handloom products, folk art, small enterprises and social outreach activities. The event combines traditional stalls and cultural performances with programmes designed to create economic opportunities for artisans and entrepreneurs."Santiniketan Mela – A Digital Bridge of Creativity, Culture & Community". santiniketanmela.com. Retrieved 11 December 2025. "Santiniketan E-হাট Opens New Doors for Local Talent and Economic Growth". Positive Barta. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
Overview[edit | edit source]
Santiniketan Mela is generally held during the winter season and runs for multiple days. The event provides a platform for local artisans, handloom weavers, self-help groups, small entrepreneurs and farmers to display and sell handicrafts, textiles, paintings, books and locally produced food items. Cultural programmes—such as folk music, dance and student performances—are regularly scheduled as part of the mela."Santiniketan Mela – A Digital Bridge of Creativity, Culture & Community". santiniketanmela.com. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
Activities and community work[edit | edit source]
Alongside trade stalls and cultural programmes, Santiniketan Mela often incorporates social activities including awareness campaigns, youth engagement events, charitable drives and support programmes for senior citizens. The organisers collaborate with local volunteer groups and NGOs to integrate community outreach and training initiatives that benefit participants."Santiniketan E-হাট Opens New Doors for Local Talent and Economic Growth". Positive Barta. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
Organisation and participation[edit | edit source]
The mela is organised by a mix of community committees, local NGOs and event partners. Participation is open to artisans and vendors from Birbhum district and neighbouring areas; organisers typically provide basic stall infrastructure and local promotion to draw visitors. The initiative also links physical exhibition space with online promotion through an 'E-হাট' (electronic marketplace) to help artisans reach wider markets."Santiniketan Mela – A Digital Bridge of Creativity, Culture & Community". santiniketanmela.com. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
Relationship with Poush Mela[edit | edit source]
Santiniketan Mela is a contemporary, community-driven initiative distinct from the historic Poush Mela (the traditional Poush Utsav at Visva-Bharati). While Poush Mela has deep historical and cultural roots associated with the Poush Utsav tradition, Santiniketan Mela complements the region's festival calendar by offering an additional forum focused on local entrepreneurship, crafts promotion and social development."Santiniketan E-হাট Opens New Doors for Local Talent and Economic Growth". Positive Barta. Retrieved 11 December 2025.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ "Poush Mela". West Bengal Tourism. Archived from the original on 22 February 2001. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
External links[edit | edit source]
- Official website: SantiniketanMela.com
- Coverage: "Santiniketan E-হাট Opens New Doors for Local Talent and Economic Growth" — Positive Barta
Background[edit | edit source]
Devendranath Tagore with twenty followers accepted the Brahmo creed from Ram Chandra Vidyabagish on 21 December 1843 (7 Poush 1250 according to the Bengali calendar). This was the basis of Poush Utsav (the Festival of Poush) at Santiniketan[1]
A Brahma mandir was established at Santiniketan on 21 December 1891 (7 Poush 1298 according to the Bengali calendar). A small fair was organised in 1894 in connection with the establishment anniversary of the Brahma mandir, in the ground opposite the mandir. What started as a small homely Poush Mela now attracts attention of not only the people of Birbhum district but tourists from all around.[2]
From 1894 onwards, the Poush Mela has been organized every year. However it has been put on halt for three times due to the Bengal Famine of 1943, Direct Action Day of 1946 and the COVID-19 pandemic.[3]
In earlier days the mela (fair) was held in the ground on the north side of Brahma mandir (also referred to as glass temple). On that day, a firework display was held in earlier days after evening prayers. As the mela increased in size, it was shifted to the field in Purbapalli.
Inauguration[edit | edit source]
Poush Utsav is inaugurated on 7 Poush (around 23 December). At dawn, Santiniketan wakes up to the soft music of shehnai. The first to enter the scenario is the Vaitalik group, who go round the ashrama (hermitage) singing songs. It is followed by a prayer-meeting at Chhatimtala. Then the entire congregation moves on to Uttarayan singing songs.[1]
Other days[edit | edit source]
Poush Mela is characterized by the live performances of Bengali folk music, especially the baul music. It includes folk songs, dances and tribal sports. Each day of this festival is filled with different activities. The last day of this fair is devoted to those who are related to Santiniketan.
The fair[edit | edit source]
Some 1,500 stalls take part in the fair.[4] The number of tourists pouring in for the three-day fair is around 10,000.[5] Government statistics put the daily inflow of tourists in to Santiniketan at around 3,500 per day; but during major festival such as Pous Utsav, Basanta Utsav, Rabindra Paksha, and Naba Barsha it goes up to an average 40,000 per day or more. Obviously, many of them do stay back in Santiniketan, which has 85 lodges with accommodation for 1,650. Beside of this, room on rent can be hired for some days.[6]
Local printed fabrics and handicrafts are available in the stalls erected during the fair. Besides materials of household interest, toys are also available here. Various food stalls are also found.
See also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Basak, Tapan Kumar, Rabindranath-Santiniketan-Sriniketan (An Introduction), p. 36, B.B.Publication
- ↑ Ghosh, Swapan Kumar, Santiniketan-Visva Bharati – Birbhumer Srestha Tirtha, Paschim Banga, February 2006, (in Bengali), Birbhum special issue, p. 250, Information and Culture department, Govt. of West Bengal
- ↑ Patrika, Anandabazar (9 November 2020). "Poush Mela of Santiniketan will not be organized".
- ↑ "Poush Mela to start from Dec 23". Financial Express, 22 December 2007. Archived from the original on 23 December 2007. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
- ↑ "Poush Mela in Santiniketan". Indian Tourism. Retrieved 14 February 2009.
- ↑ "Santiniketan-Bolpur". Retrieved 5 March 2009.
External links[edit | edit source]
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