LAVI FAIR: A sustained traditional patrimony

 Lavi fair, one of the most prominent fair of Himachal Pradesh is commemorated annually at Rampur. It is a merchandising event which is hugely remarkable for the trade and commerce of special goods and craft products. There is a great hustle and bustle  of tourists along with traders at the fair in the month of November. The town has sustained this olden traditional legacy for more than 300 years and has been organizing the Lavi mela with pride and grandeur. This fair is commenced every year in the month of November and continues for four days.

Source: 2.bp.blogspot.com

Rampur, 130 kms away from Shimla is situated on the left bank of river Satluj and has been a major commercial trading passage for India. Rampur was the access gateway to routes heading towards Kinnaur, Tibet, Ladakh and Afganisthan.

In relevance with the Rampur fair, the Census of India (1961) states:
"About three hundred years ago during the regime of Raja Kehar Singh of Bushahr, a trade treaty was signed between the Bushahr State and Tibet…Horses from Tibet and swords from Bushahr were exchanged in token of this friendship. It was written in the treaty that their friendly relations would continue till this time…Since then, it is presumed that trade relations increased and eventually the Lavi fair was held."

The Government of India took several efforts to regain the recognition and glory of this mela which was lost few years back when the trade came to a cessation. As a result, Lavi fair has attained an international status. Traders, craftspeople and artisans come here every year from all diverse parts of the country to entice customers and promote their art and cultural products. This is good platform where people from different background get together and build cultural relations.  The prime attraction of this fair is the presentation of the indigenous products. Even Chaumakhi horses, in particular found in the neighboring tribal areas are also brought in here to be sold. Apart from this, it’s also popular for Pashmina, dry fruits and other agricultural products. Natti dances and cultural shows are very alluring.

The Lavi fair is well known for preserving the intangible heritage by bringing different ethnic groups, tribes and people from other diversities as they exchange their languages and culture by dancing and singing about their regional folklore.

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