Audience Enthralled by Folk Dances like Rathwa, Rauf, and Chari at Shilpgram Festival

Jaipur : On the third day of the ongoing 10-day Shilpgram Festival at Shilpgram in Havala, organized by the Western Region Cultural Center, Udaipur, hundreds of spectators witnessed folk dances and other folk performances from various states on the Muktakashhi Stage. The audience danced enthusiastically to the tunes of folk music. The program Lok Ke Rang – Lok Ke Sang started with a performance of Pandwani singing, representing the folk art of Chhattisgarh, and culminated with the energetic Rathwa dance from Gujarat, symbolizing the vitality of folk culture and drawing waves of excitement and respect for tradition from the audience.

The Shilpgram atmosphere was enriched with devotional essence as the Sirmouri Nati from Himachal Pradesh and Devi Upasana dance Puja Kunitha from Karnataka infused the environment with divine fervor. The rhythmic beats and beautiful presentation of the Dekhani Dance from Goa enchanted the audience. The Rauf dance from Kashmir, with its beautiful coordination and the popular “Bumro Bumro” song, had the spectators swaying to the music. Along with this, the audience matched the rhythm of the Lavani dance from Maharashtra. The Talwar Ras from Gujarat, showcasing the martial skills of the martyrs who sacrificed for the country’s freedom, excited the audience, while the Lai Haroba dance from Manipur not only won hearts but also garnered loud applause.

Among these performances, the tribal Sahariya dance from the Baran district of Rajasthan, representing the indigenous region of the Sahariya tribe, left a unique impression with a portrayal of Holi celebrations. The expressions and gestures of the dancers mesmerized the audience, who were seen swaying and immersing in the emotions during the dance. During these performances, the skit directed by Saurabh Bhatt entertained the audience, with notable acting by Saurabh Bhatt, Asif, Mahmood, and Abhishek Jhankal.

Sahariya Dance
In this dance, the heroine, grieving for her husband who has gone abroad, sings during Holi, “While playing Holi, my golden nose ring got lost, my golden nose ring, without my beloved, it is now brass.” Accompanied by dancers dressed as wild animals, the dancers perform with humor and tease her by calling her husband’s name. This dance in the Sahariya tribe’s tradition lasts the entire night, depicting both the sorrow of separation and the joy of reunion. Team leader Gopal Dhanuk explains that this dance has three variations. One is dedicated to the worship of the goddess, performed during Chaitra and Sharadiya Navratri, while the Holi dance is performed during the entire Falgun month in the villages of the Sahariya people. The Holi dance was presented at the Shilpgram Festival.

Gopal credits the Director of the Western Region Cultural Center, Furkan Khan, for bringing this dance into the public sphere and training the tribal dancers. When he was at the center in 2011-12, he brought them from the village, and today, this folk dance has gained recognition across India.

Tuesday: Punjab Governor to Visit Festival
Punjab’s Governor Shri Gulab Chand Kataria will visit Shilpgram on Tuesday evening. During the visit, he will tour the Shilpgram premises on a golf cart. Afterward, he will light the ceremonial lamp on the Muktakashhi Stage and address the folk art enthusiasts, as well as enjoy performances rooted in folk culture.

‘Hivda Ri Hook’ Showcasing Emerging Talents
The Hivda Ri Hook program, which began on Sunday, is ongoing at the Banjara Stage. This event provides a platform for every music lover to showcase their talent. The program offers individuals from all walks of life, who sing folk songs or express their emotions through music at home or on apps, an opportunity to present their inner feelings. This ‘Hook’ program will run daily from 12 pm to 4 pm until 29 December. Along with the performances, the cultural quiz has also become a major attraction for art lovers. The winners of the quiz are awarded Shilpgram Memento as a token of appreciation.