Dhaka: The National Crafts Council of Bangladesh (NCCB) along with Bengal Foundation will jointly inaugurate a five-day crafts fair and an award ceremony to promote the fading crafts industry on Thursday at the Gyantapas Abdur Razzaq Bidyapeeth premises, reports UNB.

Rights activist advocate Sultana Kamal and Rabindra Gope, Director, Folk and Crafts Museum, will jointly inaugurate the fair and award four artisans the Mastercraftspersons Award on the day.

Renowned Chakma hand-weaving artisan, and previous winner of the Mastercraftspersons Award, Sharatmala, will be attending the event as a special guest.

The National Mastercraftspersons Award was introduced in 1989 by NCCB with the objective of reviving traditional crafts, recognising the value of artisans and encouraging others to follow their traditions.

Since 2010, the National Crafts Council of Bangladesh and Bengal Foundation have jointly organised the Mastercraftspersons Award and Crafts Fair.