Mela Phulkari celebrates culture of Punjab

Mela Phulkari is back with its fifth edition which is centred around Panj Pyaras. The annual event that celebrates art, folk roots and music commenced from February 10 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

0U9A1846 (1)Curated by Alka Pande and organised by Delhi-based Phulkari revivalists Harinder Singh and Kirandeep Kaur, Mela Phulkari is a movement that celebrates and unifies the art, craft and culture of Punjab in its true essence and spirit.

Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali, Australian and French high commissioner, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, singer Rabbi Shergill, legendary folk singer Gurmeet Bawa, Lachi and Glory, artist Arpana Caur attended the event.

The other highlights of the show were the ‘Sardars of Sangrur’ and a folk artiste group that played 21 traditional Punjabi instruments.

“For the fifth edition, I thought it would be most apt to play with the symbology of Number 5. Five has multiple meanings, connotations and references beginning with the name of the state itself, Punjab, the land of five; panj pyaras — the five loved ones; panchranga — five colours; panchtattvas — the five elements,” Alka Pande points out.
The show will be on at the Open Palm Gallery, IHC till February 19.