Sweetness of Chausa and Safeda Mangoes Blends with Monsoon Folk Melodies at Lok Chaupal

Lucknow, July 2026: The 88th edition of Lok Chaupal, organised by the Institute of Folk Culture Research, was held on Sunday at the Lallumal Dharamshala premises in Daliganj, on the banks of the Gomti River. The event, centred on the themes of Sawan (the monsoon month), Barahmasa, and India’s rich folk traditions, created a warm and vibrant atmosphere with soulful folk songs accompanied by the delicious flavours of Chausa, Dussehri, and Safeda mangoes.

The programme commenced with Archana Gupta presenting a devotional hymn in praise of Lord Ram, followed by the traditional Sawan song “Jamuna Kinare Pada Hindola.” Thereafter, Lok Chaupal Chaudhary Vimal Pant captivated the audience with “Sakhi Ri Shyam Nahin Ghar Aaye” and “Gher Aayi Kaali Re Badri.”

Renowned folk singer Neera Mishra enthralled the gathering with “Rimjhim Barse Kaari Badariya,” while Shakuntala Srivastava presented “Ghiri Aayi Kaali Ghata.” Aruna Upadhyay performed “Saiyan Base Videswa Mein,” and Rashi Srivastava sang “Are Rama Badra Mein Chamke Bijuriya.”

Prof. Usha Bajpai presented a moving composition dedicated to the martyrs of the Kargil War, while Shikha Srivastava performed “Piya Mehndi Suhaye Jaipur Ki.” Dr. Rashmi Upadhyay received warm appreciation for her rendition of “Gheri Gheri Aayi Sawan Ki Badariya.”

Other performers, including Sarita Agrawal, Jyoti Kiran Ratan, Alka Chaturvedi, Saurabh Kamal, and Archit Srivastava, also mesmerised the audience with their folk music performances, adding to the festive spirit of the gathering.

The event witnessed the presence of several distinguished guests, including Manorama Mishra, Secretary of the Awadh Ladies Club, Dr. Ram Kumar Shukla, Bhushan Agrawal, Alpana Mehrotra, Vivek Srivastava, Gaurav Gupta, Sonal Thakur, Dr. S.K. Gopal, Aftab, along with numerous litterateurs, folk artists, and lovers of Indian culture.

The evening celebrated the essence of the monsoon season through traditional music, cultural heritage, and the shared enjoyment of some of India’s finest mango varieties, reinforcing the importance of preserving and promoting the country’s rich folk traditions.