Shilpgram Festival: Raibenshe Enthralls on Day 6

Udaipur, Dec 27, 2025 – Friday (December 26) evening at Shilpgram was one of a cultural bonanza as dancers from West Bengal showcased breathtaking acrobatic combat skills through the traditional Raibenshe folk dance on the Muktakashi Stage.

Adding to the excitement, Bengal’s Natua dance — a martial arts-based folk performance — also received loud applause from the audience.

Raibenshe is a traditional folk dance of West Bengal, primarily performed in the districts of Birbhum, Bardhaman and Murshidabad. The dance powerfully depicts valour and martial prowess and is thrilling because of its intensity. Notably, this dance form is performed exclusively by men and is marked by remarkable coordination, strength and enthusiasm.

This mesmerising performance was a part of the 10-day Shilpgram Festival organised by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur.

Equally captivating was the traditional Dhediya folk dance from the Prayagraj region of Uttar Pradesh. Female dancers demonstrated extraordinary balance by performing with earthen pots placed on their heads, drawing thunderous applause.

Every performance of the evening beautifully embodied the festival’s theme, “Lok Ke Rang – Lok Ke Sang”, thoroughly entertaining the connoisseurs of folk art. Performances included Jammu’s traditional Dogri folk dance Jagarna, Rajasthan’s Sahariya Swang Dance and Safed Angi Ger, Uttarakhand’s playful Chhapeli, Goa’s graceful Samai Dance performed with lamps balanced on the head, and Tripura’s astonishing Hojagiri, known for its bottle-balancing artistry.

Maharashtra’s Mallakhamb and Manipur’s martial art-inspired Thang-Ta thrilled the audience, while Chhattisgarh’s Pandwani Gyan, narrating the epic tales of the Pandavas, infused the atmosphere with both spirituality and vigour.

The programme was hosted by Mohita Dixit and Yash Dixit.

On the sixth day of the Hivda Ri Hook programme at the Banjara Stage, festival-goers enthusiastically showcased their talents through singing, poetry and other performances. Coordinator Saurabh Bhatt further energized the event with an engaging quiz session, where winners were rewarded instantly with gifts.

From 11:00 am to 6:00 pm, diverse folk performances across multiple venues in Shilpgram entertained visitors throughout the day. Highlights included Tribal Ger and Ghughra-Chhatri (Meena Tribe), Bajigar acts, Terah Taali and Bhavai, Kutchhi Gyan, Nad, Been Jogis, Galaleng folk tales, Chakri dance, Manganiyar music, Pawri dance of the Konkana tribe, puppet shows, and Sundari performances.

Roaming Bahurupiya artists amused visitors across the premises. Stone sculptures, scenic huts and artistic installations have also become popular selfie points among attendees.

Saturday Attractions

Saturday evening attractions on the Muktakashi Stage include Gujarat’s high-energy Siddi Dhamal Dance and Taal Kachahri showcasing classical and folk music through tabla, pakhawaj, dholak, nagada, sarangi and sitar. Other highlights include Assam’s Bihu, Rajasthan’s Kalbelia, Sikkim’s Singhi Chham performed in snow-lion costume, Bhapang instrumental recital, Tamil Nadu’s Kavadi Karagam, Punjab’s Bhangra, and Odisha’s Gotipua dance.