New Delhi: The famous Madhavpur Mela begins at Madhavpur Ghed of Porbandar district in Gujarat on Sunday. In a unique initiative, the four-day long Mela will see its first-ever cultural integration with the North-East with which it is said to share its roots.

Briefing media in New Delhi on saturday, Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said, Madhavpur in Gujarat has its historical identity as a place where Lord Krisha married Rukmini. He said, the Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat shares its connect to the Mishmi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The Mishmi Tribe traces its ancestry to the legendary King Bhishmak and through him to his daughter Rukmini. 

The Minister said, the festival will unite the North Eastern States with Gujarat depicting Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat

Mr Sharma said, the festival will see a vibrant cultural trail of art, dance, music, poetry, story-telling and folk drama from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and other North-Eastern States with the aim to integrate the rich cultures of the two regions.

He said, a jatha of 150 persons from the North-East will be given a traditional welcome at Madhavpur Mela as representatives of Rukmini’s family. The Minister said, an exposition and sale of art and crafts of Gujarat and handloom and handicrafts products from Arunachal, Manipur and other North-Eastern states will be part of the event. 

The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts- IGNCA, Ministry of Culture and states of Gujarat, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and others have joined hands to give a new dimension to the festival.