Scene from Kauthik Mela
Himanshu Agnihotri, Jagran, Bareilly. When the melodious tune of the bagpipes and the beats of the hudka resonate in the atmosphere of the city, the Bareilly Club ground does not appear to be of any metropolitan city, but a part of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand. The 'Uttarayani Mela' organized in the city is not just an event but an emotional journey to connect with the roots of thousands of migrants who have made the city their second home for decades. A glimpse of the hill culture is visible in the fair, which everyone eagerly waits for every year. Let us read the detailed report telling the history of Uttarayani Fair.
The foundation of this grand fair in the city was laid about three and a half decades ago. The year was 1990, when an idea flashed in the mind of the then President of Garhwal Sabha, Rajendra Prasad Ghildiyal. Ramlila was being staged in front of Bareilly Club since 1962, but Rajendra wanted that a 'Kauthik' (fair) showcasing the mountain culture should also be organized here.
When this idea reached the masses through newspapers, eminent people like Khemanand Sharma and DD Pandey gave it a new direction. He mentioned the historical Uttarayani fair held at the confluence of Saryu and Gomti in Bageshwar and suggested that if such an event is organized in Bareilly on Makar Sankranti, then the future generations will be able to see their culture closely.
Started from Sanjay Community Hall in 1991
To put the idea on the ground, the then President of the Mountain Society, PS Bohra and the eminent scientist of IVRI, PC Sanwal (Uttarakhand Research Institute) came forward. After a historic meeting held at Nehru Yuva Kendra, a new committee of 'Uttarakhand Research Institute' was formed and on 14 January 1991, Uttarayani Mela was organized for the first time at Sanjay Community Hall. The beginning was very simple, a total of seven shops and a small stage at the back. Even during that time, everyone from public representatives to officials used to come to see the grandeur of the fair.
The nature of the fair kept changing with time
From Chief Minister to officials participated in the prestigious fair.
Uttarayani Mela is so prestigious that even senior leaders and Chief Ministers of Uttarakhand participate in it. Till now, personalities like Bhagat Singh Koshyari, former Chief Minister ND Tiwari, former Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal 'Nishank', Bachi Singh Rawat and current Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami have participated here.
This is the main attraction of the fair
The main attraction of the fair is 'Rangyatra', in which people of the hill community wearing traditional costumes like Ghagra-Pichora and woolen coats take out tableaux. City residents get pure products of Uttarakhand under one roof. Be it the famous Baal sweets of Almora, Pahadi Bhatt, Gahat dal or the honey and herbs of the high Himalayan regions.
Woolen textiles, hand-woven carpets and samples of wood art prepared by the craftsmen of Uttarakhand are also exhibited. The famous folk artists of the mountain mesmerize the audience with their singing and dancing.
symbol of unity and pride
Uttarayani Fair is not just a means of entertainment, but it is a symbol of unity of the hill society living in the city. This seed sown and watered by PC Sanwal, Pratap Singh Bora, UD Vaila, Surendra Singh Bisht and their colleagues has today become a huge banyan tree. At present, President Amit Pant and General Secretary Manoj Pandey are taking this heritage forward.
This fair tells the new generation that in the race of modernity one should not forget one's roots, one's language (Kumaoni-Garhwali) and one's traditions. This time too, when the sun rises on 13, 14 and 15 January, the Bareilly Club ground will echo with the chants of 'Jai Badri Vishal' and 'Jai Baba Kedar'.
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