Surajkund Mela: Last Hope for Snake Charmers Facing Ban and Hardship

• Faridabad's Surajkund International Crafts Mela showcases folk arts, including those of snake charmers struggling to preserve their heritage.
• Snake charmers like Prakash Nath and Tejpal Nath, whose ancestral profession is playing the *been*, face severe hardship due to the government ban on catching and displaying snakes.
• Their village, Rajpur Phulera, known for snake charmers, now sees its residents working as laborers for most of the year, with *been* playing limited to 3-4 months.
• The Surajkund Mela offers a brief period of work and hope, but earnings are insufficient to sustain families amidst high inflation.
• Artists request government support for stable employment to ensure their children's education and future, as their traditional art faces extinction.