15 November,2011 06:48 AM IST | | Astha Saxena
A colourful pavilion, showcasing moments of the ever-evolving city starting from the Mughal era, is in place at the trade fair
The National Capital completed its 100 years of existence on Monday, November14. The show, 100 years-emerging Delhi, was colourfully showcased at Delhi Pavilion at the 31st India International Trade Fair (IITF). The pavilion at IITF displayed various ancient handicrafts from Old Delhi to Shahjahanabad, the hub of Mughal lifestyle.
Closer look: Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit inside the Delhi pavilion at the
IITF on Monday. Pic/Imtiyaz Khan
The heritage and culturally endowed city has opted to showcase in its pavilion, "Royal Dilli represents Royal Craft".u00a0 The exhibition shall take you through different eras of the city - Mughal, Imperial and Contemporary - in a nutshell, to narrate the different phases of evolution of the city.
The pavilion was inaugurated by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit. Named as 'Dehleez - The Magic of Gifted Hands', the pavilion also exhibits eco-friendly products like Khadi and herbal goods, besides Mughal-era wooden furniture and brass-metal items. Decorated at a cost of around Rs One crore, the pavilion provides visitors a chance to see the craftsmanship of Old Delhi, like Zardozi (embroidery in gold thread), which is a widely appreciated form of art work by artists of the area. Apart from Zardozi, Meenakari and lacquer works are also hugely popular.
"I am really impressed with the pavilion. It showcases the composite culture of Delhi. Every effort has been made to make it attractive," said Dikshit, after making a round of the Pavilion, where she bought souvenirs and a hand-woven sari for herself.
A pictorial exhibition, depicting various historical events in the past 100 years of the city, beginning with the foundation laying ceremony by King George V and Queen Mary for a new capital in Delhi on December 15, 1911, has also been put up. The main entrance as well as the exhibition hall has been modelled on the architecture of Shahjahanabad area during the Mughal rule.
Another interesting stall at the pavilion is the stall by Tihar Jail, which displays various items such as Tihar Agarbattis, Tihar Namkeen and some handicrafts too.
