Audience Dances to Folk Performances like Rathwa, Rouf, and Chari at Shilpgram Festival

Udaipur: On the third day of the 10-day Shilpgram Festival organized by the Western Regional Cultural Centre at Shilpgram, Havala, hundreds of spectators enjoyed folk dances and other performances from various states at the open-air stage. The audience was captivated and danced to traditional tunes.

The program "Lok Ke Rang - Lok Ke Sang" at the open-air stage of Shilpgram started with the Pandwani singing from Chhattisgarh. The performance reached its peak with the energetic Rathwa dance from Gujarat, which made the crowd feel a surge of excitement and pride for the culture. The atmosphere was filled with devotional fervor as the Himachali Sirmouri Nati and Karnataka’s Devi Upasana dance, Puja Kunitha, immersed the audience in a spiritual mood. The Goan Dekhani dance, with its rhythmic movements and beautiful presentation, left the spectators mesmerized. 

The audience danced enthusiastically to the enchanting music of Kashmir’s Rouf dance and the energetic "Bumro Bumro..." song. Alongside, Maharashtra’s Lavani dance had the crowd moving in rhythm with the performers. Gujarat’s Sword Dance, Talwar Ras, inspired the crowd with its depiction of the martial skills of the freedom fighters, while Manipur’s Lai Haroba dance won applause for its beauty and grace. 

Among these performances, the Sahariya tribal dance from the Baran district of Rajasthan stood out with its depiction of Holi. The expressive movements of the dancers deeply impressed the audience, who were seen dancing and losing themselves in the emotions of the performance. 

In addition, a skit directed by Saurabh Bhatt entertained the audience with its humor. The acting by Saurabh Bhatt, Asif, Mahmood, and Abhishek Jhankal was highly appreciated.

**Sahariya Dance:**

In this dance, the heroine, saddened by her lover's absence during Holi, sings, "Holi khelat main nath meri kho to gayi, soni ki nath meri, mere piya bina peetal ki." The dancers, dressed as wild animals, perform a playful dance, teasing her by calling her by her husband's name. This dance, part of the Sahariya tribe's tradition, lasts all night and depicts the sorrow of separation and the joy of reunion. Gopal Dhanuk, the team leader, explains that this dance has three variations. The one performed at the festival is related to Holi and is typically showcased during the entire month of Phalgun in the villages of the Sahariya people. 

The credit for bringing this dance to the public and training the tribal dancers goes to Furkan Khan, the director of the Western Regional Cultural Centre. In 2011-12, he brought the dancers from the village to Shilpgram, and today this folk dance has earned recognition across India.

**Punjab Governor Kataria to Visit the Festival:**

On Tuesday evening, Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria will visit Shilpgram. He will tour the Shilpgram premises in a golf cart and then light the lamp at the open-air stage, where he will address the folk art enthusiasts and watch cultural performances. Furkan Khan, Director of the Western Regional Cultural Centre, will welcome him.

**'Hivda Ri Hook' Unveiling Talents:**

The "Hivda Ri Hook" program, which began on Sunday, is taking place at the Banjara stage. The event provides an opportunity for every music lover to showcase their talent. This program gives a platform for people of all ages, who sing folk songs or music at home or on apps to express their feelings, to perform live. The "Hook" program will run daily from 12 PM to 4 PM until December 29. The program also features a cultural quiz, engaging art lovers and rewarding those who answer correctly with a "Shilpgram Memento."