The National Handicraft and Folk Art Festival- Shilpgram Utsav 2014 concluded on Tuesday leaving behind the trails of ethnic, folk art and mesmerizing performances from all over the country.

Organized with an intention to promote folk art and handicraft legacy to the common public, around 1000 artists from 21 states had displayed their work of art. The fair witnessed enthralled people shopping till the last drop, savoring the delicacies, tapping the footsteps with the performers and capturing the vibrant colors of the festival in their cameras.

On the last day of the festival, a huge number of people flocked at the festival arena to buy pottery, handicraft items, jewelry, home decor and apparels etc.

Development Board of Handicrafts, Development Board of Hand Loom of New Delhi, National Jute Development Board, TRIFED etc. participated in the event organized by West Zone Cultural Center.

The last day of the event captivated the audience with the Gair Dance followed by Mangniyar artists who created a lively atmosphere with their folk songs. The acrobatic act of the Kavdi Kadgam and the Bhapang instrument’s melodious tunes performed by artist Umar Faruq won hearts.

Rathwa Tribals coming from Chota Udepur of Gujarat performed rhythmic dance whilst making human pyramid. Specially rehearsed ‘Jhankar’ with 55 folk instruments gave something the people of Udaipur will remember for long. Tanerat Singh Sodha, Head of the Center collaborated in the making of the Jhankar which encapsulated the beats of kamayacha, khadtal, dholak, mugarwan, dholki, pempe, gogona, sarnai, tasha, tavil and shankh etc.

Siddhi artist of African race from Gujarat performed ‘Dhamal’ as a tribute to Baba Gaur. The audience held their breath when the Siddhi artists threw the coconuts in the air and cracked them on their heads.

From Bihu dance of Assam to Sambalpuri, from Manipur’s Thang-Ta to Raibenshe; every performance gave a real touch of the diversified Indian culture and art. Himani Joshi, Durgesh Chandwani and Brijmohan Toofan were the masters of ceremony.

Director of WZCC, Furkhan Khan extended his gratitude towards Sangeet Natak Academy of New Delhi, District Administration, Police Department, Traffic Department, Health Department, Ajmer Electricity Distribution Corporation Ltd, Water Department, Nagar Nigam, IDBI Bank, Axis Bank, SBBJ, ICICI Bank and other partners to make this entire event successful.