Shilpgram, Mumbai’s first craft village opens today

Mumbai: Shilpgram, the city’s first arts and craft village depicting Maharashtra’s culture, is likely to be one of major tourist attractions in the city. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will open the garden located in Jogeshwari on Sunday.

Named as Matoshri Meenatai Thackeray Shilpgram, it is a craft village, which resembles the theme of ‘Bara Balutedar’ that were an integral part of rural life in Maharashtra. The Balutedar system was a trade-cum-caste system, which represents 12 trades like barbers, washers, potters, carpenters etc. The park will have murals of ‘Bara Balutedar’. Shilpgram will also present various traditional arts and crafts by artisans from all over the country.

Located at Poonam Nagar in Jogeshwari east, Shilpgram is spread over a large plot of 55,900 sq mt (13.81 acres). It has been constructed on the lines of Dilli Haat and Shilpgrams at Hyderabad, Udaipur and Sawai Madhopur.

“In Shilpgram, the areas have been divided in different zones according to the activities to be performed there i.e. metal section, wooden items section, terracotta/pottery goods section, nursery section, textile section, home décor section, stone art section, food court etc. Along with this, an open to sky central activity area will be provided for different cultural performances. There will also be a ‘musical fountain’ show with LED lights,” said a senior civic official.

The land has been decorated with plantation of green and light green lawn, flowery and colourful shrubs and various types of trees including both local and ornamental, he added.

Shilpgram will also have fountains, a gazebo, a children’s play area, an amphitheatre, and shops that will sell authentic handicrafts.

Shiv Sena corporator Anant Nar, who has been instrumental in completing the project, said that Shilpgram will soon be one of the major tourist attractions in the city. “People will get to see glimpses of rural life and the Bara Balutedar system which was prevalent in past years,” he said.

The park will be inaugurated at the hands of Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray on Sunday evening.