Udaipur, December 12, 2024 – The popular 10-day Shilpgram Festival, which has gained a distinctive identity all over the country, is all set to begin on December 21 with a presentation that promises to be memorable. The festival will be inaugurated by Rajasthan Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, who is also chairman of the Western Region Cultural Centre. The Governor will launch the festivities on the beat of the nagada (traditional drum) in the presence of guests including Rajya Sabha MP Chunnilal Garasiya, Udaipur Lok Sabha MP Dr Mannalal Rawat, Chittorgarh MP CP Joshi, Udaipur City MLA Tarachand Jain and Udaipur Rural MLA Phool Singh Meena.

Addressing a press conference yesterday, Furqan Khan, director of the Western Region Cultural Centre, informed that this year's theme is Lok ke Rang - Lok ke Sangh and that the festival will showcase the best folk art performances from across the country. He said that the Shilpgram Festival is probably the only event in the country where both domestic and international audiences engage so enthusiastically with folk arts.

First Day Entry Free

Entry will be free on the first day of the festival from 3:00 pm onwards. Special attractions on the first day will feature a symphony performance Rhythm of India, with nearly 50 musical instruments, followed by a choreographed dance titled Colour of India, presented by around 200 artists from 14 States. The dance has been choreographed by the renowned Sushil Sharma.

Khan said that this year around 800 folk artists from approximately 20 Indian States - Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Assam, Meghalaya, West Bengal, Odisha, Manipur, Tripura, Chhattisgarh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu - will participate. Over 10 days, 65 cultural groups from different parts of India will put up performances. Throughout the day visitors will be able to witness Bherupia, Kacchi Ghodi, Kacchi Lok Gayan, Rathwa, Sundri Vadan, Algoza Vadan, Gawri, Mashak Vadan, Manganiyar, Chakri Taal, Kalbeliya and more. Special programmes will be held on the main stage from 6:00 pm onwards with folk dance performances from various states of India.

Sculptor Attractions

He also mentioned that there will be a display of Bahurupi (disguised) art for which special artists have been invited. An attraction at this year’s festival will be sculptors of 12 zodiac signs, made by young Indian sculptors. Tribal masks from various States will be on display as also carved musical instruments. Gawri characters will be depicted through puppets made by Bengal artisans.

There will be an exhibition of paintings at the Sangam Hall which were done at the various workshops organised by the centre.

Hivda Ri Hook

Pawan Amarawat, deputy director of the Western Region Cultural Centre, informed that from December 22 to 29, Hivda Ri Hook programme will be held on the Banjara stage from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. It will include performances and a quiz competition. Visitors will also be allowed to present their performances. Shilpgram mementos will be awarded to winners of the cultural quiz.

Smaller stages will showcase Pandavani singing, Baul presentations and Nagada. On the last two days, a performance called Jhankar will be featured. Additionally, there will be performances from Goa plus comedy shows.

There will be four food zones with special cuisine from 12 states of India.

Assistant Director Durgesh Chandwani informed that the festival will feature about 400 craft stalls, with 800 artisans from 24 states. A variety of crafts from across the country will be displayed, including special stalls from the Wool Board of Jodhpur, Jute Board of Kolkata, and Tribal Co-operative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED).

Documentary Films

This year, the Shilpgram festival will feature documentary screenings about folk arts and crafts at various locations, aimed at raising awareness about preserving our rich heritage. The main stage backdrop and gates will be designed by artisans from Bengal.

The festival will also feature performances by various art groups, such as Rauf (Jammu and Kashmir), Bihu (Assam), Dediya (Uttar Pradesh), Natwa (Uttar Pradesh), Thangta and Stick (Meghalaya), Lavani (Maharashtra) and Lai Haroba (Manipur).