The foreign tourists of Royal Udaipur got a chance to get a Royal Rajasthani Makeover today on 7 ^th April 2011 at Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal. The glorious “Gangaur Mahotsava” (3 days), which is also called “Mewar Mahotsava” was organized by The Tourism Department & District Administration, casted a spell on not just localites here but Foreign Tourist too felt lost in the event. The event had two main competitions 1- Best Rajasthani Dressed Foreign Couple competition and 2-Pagdi Competition. Few amazing cultural folk dance performances were also demonstrated by fabulous folk performers. Rajendra Sen & Savi Malu were graceful announcers. The program begun with the typically traditional, very famous & melodious folk song “Padharo Mhare Desh” which is called “Maand”, sung by Mangi Bai- A very euphonious folk singer. The second performance was “Tera Tali”. It’s done by Kamath tribe, female performers tie 13 musical instruments (Manjiras) to different parts of their body. The brilliant performance was by Doordas & Group. The next performance was one of the finest presentations in the event. Performers sang thought provoking Rajasthani poems on national issues, which were kind of satires on Administration System. A special instrument named “Bapang” which is compared with the Damru (a musical instrument). The performer- Umar Farookh Mewati was from Alwar (The City of Aravali). The next performance was by Chetan Jetwa & Group. A Gujrati Folk dance named “Mandvi Raas”, in which performers carry a temple like structure on their head. It is performed on the propitious occasion in Gujrat. Bhawai Dance from Gautam Parmar & Party. The Audacious Performer held a series of 9 vertical pts on her head and gave an eye catching performance while balancing on glass, wood board with nails dugged on it, on Fire and on Bare Swords also. The breath taking performance won the hearts of audience. The most thrilling & most awaited Part of the event was “Best Rajasthani Dressed Foreigner Couple”. There were around 7-8 foreign couples who participated and got a makeover in Rajasthani dress. The experience was new to them as well as to the spectators. Couples tried their best to adopt Rajasthani Culture. Few of them also tried some Rajasthani Dance Steps. On being asked about Rajasthan & India, all stunning couples replied that they love Indian Culture & find it Spiritual & Adventurous. The jury included Sangeeta Sehgal, Principal of Food & Craft. Parul Mathur, Director of Pacific Institute & Sanjana Nahar who had a superb flair of Royal Culture of Rajasthan. Heart throbbing moment of announcing winners of the competition made every heart thump. Pirasel & Richard (From France & Germany Respectively) were 2 ^nd runner ups and were awarded a couple dinner in Lalit Laxmivilas hotel. 1 ^st runner ups were Malhaliya & Mathew (from Canada) and they got free dinner at Hotel Leela Palace. 1 ^st place was of Heuveline wice & Lehtola Kimono, both of them got free dinner at Taj Lake Palace. A New Entrant was there into the world of turban. A new Pagdi, which was “The Longest Pagdi”, which was 501 meter long & with 9 Inches of Diameter, made all spectators wide eyed. Mahendra Singh Parihar was the maker of this longest turban. The second turban was by well known Pagdi makers Daulat sen (maker) & Jinesh Kothari (Designer). It was 325 meter long & had 75 inches diameter. The event had many more performances like Kaalbelia, Mayur Dance & Brij Holi Dance. Below are the exclusive photos of the event, photos taken by Sayeed Ahmed