Maharashtra’s Kalagram will be thrown open at Aurangabad by Union Minister of Tourism Subodh Kant Sahay on July 22. Spread over a seven-acre plot with sprawling landscaping and extensive beautification work, the 'Kalagram' will bring together arts, crafts, food and cultural activities of Maharashtra.

Apart from catering to the contemporary expectations of the tourists, the project will also provide the ambience of a traditional rural hall and village.

While chief minister Prithviraj Chavan will be the chief guest, State Tourism Minister Chhagan Bhujbal will preside over the inaugural function of 'Kalagram', a joint venture of the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) and Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC).

At the 'Kalagram', there will be 106 stalls, of which 17 will food stalls. Besides, there will be an open air theatre, souvenir shops, children play area, food plaza and also an exhibition hall. “Initially for 15 days, these stalls will be available free of cost on first-come-first-serve basis,” a senior MTDC official said.

The MTDC and AMC have invested Rs 4.42 crore - received from the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India - on the first phase of 'Kalagram' project, while they intend to spend another Rs 2 crore on the second phase of the project. An MTDC statement said the project is aimed at providing an opportunity to craftsmen for demonstrating their skills to tourists.

Sakaal Times