Adding to Kolkata's winter attractions of cultural calendar, a three-day art fair- Art Mela- got underway at the city's Lake Club on Friday to boost the commercial viability of the works of Bengal painters and sculptors.

The Art Mela is organised by Lake Club in collaboration with Art Strokes and Moving Lines.

Encouraging the artists and sculptors, the three-day Lake Club Art Mela  began at the Club complex with noted painter  Samir Aich inaugurating the fair along with other celebrated artists like Subrata Gangopadhyay, Hiren Mitra, Bimal Kundu and various club officials and dignitaries.

Noted painters Jogen Chowdhury and Subhaprsanna  also  graced the event on the inaugural day.

Speaking on the occasion, Samir Aich praised Lake Club for organising the event and  said this vibrant celebration of art will continue to bring together artists and sculptors  to  showcase their talent  to the art lovers and buyers. 

"The affluent people should come forward as their patronage is essential. I commend the Lake Club for offering this space to the artists free of cost," Aich said.

Jogen Chowdhury expressed his happiness over so many city painters taking part in this fair and hoped other similar organisations in the city would come forward  to organise such events.

Commenting on this event  Lake Club president  Tamal Mukherjee said this Art Mela  was  being organised by the club  as part of its duty to the cultural capital of the country.

Lake Club joint secretary Debabrata Dutta informed that  as many as 14 groups  namely Society of Contemporary Artists, Amra Noy Choy, Artistique, Bengal Art Stroke, Calcutta Painters, Canvas Artist Circle, Chander Haat, Open Window, Painters 80, Sandip Pal & Association, Painters Orchestra, Third Eye , Tandra Glass Art and Graphite representing various  artists and sculptors from the city and other parts of the state displayed their creations in this Art Mela.   

He said this event has become very popular among the art loving people of the city  and hoped the participation from the artists would be even larger  next time.