The 27th Lokrang Festival, showcasing the vibrant and diverse folk cultural heritage of India, was inaugurated on Friday at Shilpgram. The event was marked by the presence of the Secretary of Tourism, Art, Literature, Culture, and Archaeology, Shri Ravi Jain, as the Chief Guest. Dr. Manisha Arora, Managing Director of the Rural Non-Farm Development Agency (RUDA), graced the occasion as the Special Guest. Together, they raised the Lokrang flag to kickstart the festivities. The event opened with mesmerizing performances of traditional Indian arts, including shehnai, nagada, kachchi ghodi, puppetry, and acrobatics, setting a lively tone for the festival. Also present were Mrs. Alka Meena, Additional Director General, along with other dignitaries, artists, and craftsmen.
The Lokrang Festival, which runs until October 28, will feature a National Handicrafts Fair from 11 AM to 10 PM daily at Shilpgram. The main stage will host folk art performances from 5 PM to 6:30 PM, followed by folk singing from 8:30 PM to 10 PM. Additionally, Rang Chaupal will feature folk plays from 4 PM to 6 PM, while the central area will come alive with folk music, dance, and singing from various states starting at 7 PM each evening, offering a beautiful tapestry of India’s folk culture.
On the main stage, performances included the vibrant Charkari, Bam Rasiya, Kalbelia, and Chari dances, all of which captivated the audience. In the singing hall, the Bhungar Khan Manganiar group enthralled everyone with their soulful folk melodies. The heart of the festival, the vibrant Lokrang segment, was a crowd favorite. The evening opened with a powerful nagada performance by Nathuram Solanki and his team from Pushkar, filling the venue with an electrifying energy. The artists from Prayagraj then presented the Dhediya dance, which is traditionally performed to celebrate Lord Ram’s return to Ayodhya, complete with an aarti ritual symbolizing the welcoming of Ram.
The festivities continued with the Jagran dance from Jammu and Kashmir, a traditional wedding dance performed by women, depicting familial quarrels in a light-hearted manner. The folk artists from Shekhawati enchanted the audience with their Chang beats, immersing everyone in the Rajasthani spirit. The Chhapeli dance from Uttarakhand, typically performed during festivals and auspicious events by both men and women, was also a highlight of the evening.
A special treat this year was the inclusion of the Cheraw dance, also known as the bamboo dance, performed for the first time at Lokrang. This unique dance from the Mizo community involves men balancing bamboo sticks while women dance gracefully between them, symbolizing harvest celebrations, weddings, and other joyous occasions.
The festival concluded with Haryana’s Phag dance, reflecting the vibrant colors of Holi, and a stunning Kalbelia dance performance by the renowned Padma Shri awardee Gulabo Sapera and her troupe, encapsulating the rich and alluring culture of Rajasthan.
The 27th Lokrang Festival is a vibrant confluence of India’s diverse folk traditions, bringing together artistry, music, and dance from various states, and offering a platform for both artists and craftsmen to showcase their talents. As the festival continues, visitors can immerse themselves in a cultural journey that celebrates India’s rich heritage through performances, exhibitions, and the national handicrafts fair.
