Jaipur: The 26th Lokrang Mahotsav, which embodies the vast folk cultural form of the country, started at Jawahar Kala Kendra, 230 artists performed on the first day. The 11-day festival organized by Jawahar Kala Kendra will continue till October 8, 2023. In the National Folk Dance Festival, folk artists from different states will perform every day. Additional Director General of the JKK Ms. Priyanka Jodhawat inaugurated the festival by hoisting the flag of folk colours. Shehnai, drums, strutting Kutchi mare, cheerful artists. A similar scene was seen during the inauguration of Lokrang in Shilpgram.
During this time other administrative officers and art lovers were present. In Shilpgram, Ram Prasad performed Kachhi Ghodi, Bhungar Khan Manganiar and group performed Manganiar singing, Meera Sapera performed Kalbelia dance, Ram Joshi presented Bam Rasiya and Latif Khan Manganiar sang. People were thrilled to see the acrobats, puppets and impersonators.
During the event National Dance Festival was organized in the intermediate stage. 9 folk genres from 8 states were presented on the stage. The program started with the presentation of Mashak playing popular in Western Rajasthan. Shravan Gegawat played Padharo Mhare Desh and other Rajasthani songs on the bagpipe. Other artists accompanied on khartal, harmonium and dholak. This was followed by presentation of Chari dance and Beda Raas of Gujarat. Artists from Uttarakhand presented Chholiya dance. This genre of Kumaon region is also famous by the name of Chhaliya dance. The dance performed while going to war has now become a part of the wedding procession. Men dance to the tunes of folk instruments with swords and shields in their hands.
The festival continued with the Jagrana dance performed on the occasion of marriage in Jammu and Kashmir, this dance performed by women shows family squabbles. After this, Mishra Raas of Gujarat made the atmosphere black. Mishra Raas is very popular in Saurashtra region of Gujarat, it is a dance based on the Raas of Krishna and Radha. The artist told that there is a popular story among the local people regarding Mishra Raas that Gujarat’s first poet Narsi Mehta had seen Krishna Raas at night, he got so engrossed in it that event his hand got burnt by the torch.
After this, there was an enthusiastic presentation of Ghoomar dance of Haryana and Luddi dance of Punjab. In the end, the presentation of Dangi dance performed by the Dang tribe of Gujarat thrilled everyone. Dangi dance is performed in festivals and celebrations. The dancers perform the dance by placing their hands on the waist of the men and on the shoulders of the women. Gradually the dance picks up speed and the dancers climb on the shoulders of the men, form pyramids and perform twirling dances.
Festival can watch its live telecast on the Jawahar Kala Kendra Facebook page. At Shilpgram, there will be cultural presentations will be held on the main stage from 5:30 pm, also exhibition of handicrafts products in the National Handicraft Fair, which will run from 11 am to 10 pm and.
