~Research-based book ‘Tarnetar No Melo’ documents the history, folk traditions, cultural heritage and changing character of the Tarnetar Fair and Panchal region.
Surendranagar, Gujarat, Sep 21 (VNI): A research-based book titled ‘Tarnetar No Melo (Historical and Cultural Heritage of the Panchal Region)’ was formally released at the Trinetreshwar Mahadev Temple complex in Tarnetar, Surendranagar, on the third day of the world-renowned Tarnetar Fair, documenting the history, folk traditions and cultural heritage of the Panchal region.
The book has been authored by Dr. Sheetal Koisha, Director, Young India Research Foundation (YIRF), Gandhinagar. Gujarat Government Minister Darshanaben Vaghela, Surendranagar Member of Parliament Chandubhai Shihora, and MLAs Jagdishbhai Makwana, P. K. Parmar and Prakash Varmora were among those present at the release ceremony.
The publication is based on five years of field-based research and documentation undertaken by Dr. Koisha during her doctoral research in the Department of History at Gujarat University. The study focuses on the Tarnetar Fair and the wider Panchal region, covering its historical background, folk traditions, folk songs and dances, rural life, traditional crafts and embroidered wooden umbrellas associated with the fair.
Historical photographs, manuscripts, documentary material and field sketches have also been incorporated into the book to document the changing character of the Tarnetar Fair. The research presents the fair not only as a religious gathering but also as a tradition closely connected with the social and cultural life of the Panchal region.
Speaking at the release, Dr. Sheetal Koisha said preservation of local heritage should not remain limited to the continuation of fairs and festivals. She emphasised the importance of systematic documentation of history, traditions and community life and making such material accessible to younger generations. She also shared details of an initiative to make the book available to schools and educational institutions across Surendranagar district.
The book brings together different dimensions of the folk culture and heritage of the Panchal region as a research reference. Public representatives and members of the academic community present at the ceremony congratulated Dr. Koisha on the publication. The release of the book during the Tarnetar Fair added a documentary and academic dimension to the celebration of the region’s longstanding cultural traditions and heritage. VNI NEWS, Tarnetar Fair, Tarnetar No Melo, Panchal Region, Gujarat Heritage, Dr Sheetal Koisha, Young India Research Foundation, Gujarat University, Folk Culture, Cultural Heritage, Surendranagar, Tarnetar No Melo, Panchal cultural heritage, Tarnetar Fair history, Gujarat folk culture, Dr Sheetal Koisha, VNINews, VNINews.com