Shilpgram Utsav 2014, the amalgamation of folk arts and handicrafts is going to begin from 21st till 30th December in which 600 folk artists and 1000 craftsmen from 21 states will gather for the festive season. Entries on the first day after 3 pm will be free.

The Utsav will be inaugurated by Governor Kalyan Singh at ‘Kalangana’ and Gulab Chand Kataria will be the chief guest.

West Zone Culture Center’s President Furkan Khan informed that the Shilpgram Utsav, with the help of Cultural center of central government, Sangeet Natak Academy (New Delhi), Vikas Ayukt Hast Shilp (New Delhi), Vikas Ayukt Hathkargha (TRIFED) and National Jute Development Board and many other cultural institutes, this fest will be organised.

Folk artists and craftsmen from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Silvasa, Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, West Bengal, Oddisha, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka etc. will showcase their art in Udaipur.

Khan informed that the ticket counter will open at 10 am and the fair will start from 11 am onward. Besides the Haat bazaar, the folk artists will perform at various stages from 12 pm. Also, the cultural festivities will commence from 6 pm at Muktakashi Stage ‘Kalangana.’

He further added that the main attractions will be Gotipua (Odisha), Raibenshe and Baul dancers (West Bengal), Chakri, Kawa, Dogri, Bhumro and Rauf (J&K), Mayur (UP), Chapeli and Ghasiyari (Uttrakhand), Gidda (Punjab), Dekhni (Goa), Sambalpuri and Siddhi Dhamal (Gujarat), Laavni (Maharashtra), Kadgam (TN), Bihu (Assam), Pung Dhol Cholam and Stick Dance (Manipur) and Singi Cham (Sikkim) etc.

On 21st and 22nd December: Symphony Lok Naad will be performed which is a mix of various local musical instruments.

On 23rd and 24th December: ‘Nrutyarupa’ by Sangeet Natak Academy (New Delhi) will be performed.

On 25th and 26th December: For the first time in Udaipur, performances of North East India such as Hojagiri (Tripura), Bardoi Shikla (Assam), Ju-Ju-JaJa (Arunchal Pradesh), Vadir Naga & Khoopeelili (Nagaland), Sarlamkai & Solkiya (Mizoram), Vanghla (Meghalaya) and Ghantu (Sikkim) will be showcased. Also, for the first time Bamboo Music Group from Kerala will perform in Shilpgram.

The eminent sand artists Tangaiya (TN) and Lala Pandit (Bihar) and his son will create magnificent sand statues that will woe the audience.

For children’s interests, art forms like toy making from clothes, paper mache masks and magic will be taught in the huts. Also, ‘Abhivyakti’ exhibition will be displayed at Sangam Sabhagar. In the same premises, children in the guidance of artists will be given canvas to display their art.

The Craftsmen Fair or the Shilpgram Utsav will be an enthralling experience for all the people of Udaipur and tourists where they can shop for Chanderi Silk sarees, Sook kharak, Bead work, bone carving, terracotta jewelry, recycled products, bamboo art and Nagaland’s ethnic woolen jackets and shawls etc.