from Akash Poojari
for Daijiworld Media Network – Bangalore (SM)

Bangalore, Oct 13: Student's charm and beauty of rustic life, a combination of serenity and colourful extravagance of villages came alive in the 'Graamya Mela' exposition of rural India, organized by Bishop Cotton Women's Christian college here on Friday October 12.

College students dressed in their ethnic best set a perfect mood to create the magical aura of villages representing the states of  Karnataka, Tamilnadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Bihar, Rajasthan, Punjab, Bengal and the seven sisters of the north east.

Distinctive huts signifying different regions of the country decorated with native embellishments and serving traditional cuisine were the main attraction of the mela. The Punjabi straw hut had the 'manje' (known as 'khat' in Hindi) had seating arrangement for serving exotic Punjab food. The Rajasthani hut guarded by a live camel showcased interesting jewellery and items of home decor.

The north eastern hut displayed delicately embroidered stoles, ladies t-shirts with an ethnic touch and artifacts made out of cane. Maharashtian Worli art, Tamilnadu's Pongal and Lalu's favourite cow from Bihar were also a part of the mela.

Students also depicted a small 'Sante' (a villages weekly Bazaar) selling a variety of items right from beads to coconuts, folk dance performances by students and Yakashagana and dollu kunita sponsored by the sate government added a dash of entertainment to the mela.