Bhopal
The 40th folk festival of the republic ‘Lokrang’ is being organized by the Tribal Folk Art and Dialect Development Academy of the Culture Department from 26 to 30 January at Rabindra Bhawan Complex, Bhopal. Governor Shri Mangubhai Patel will inaugurate the Lokrang Mahotsav. There will be a dignified presence of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav in this. Director Culture Shri NP Namdev said that Veerangana Rani Durgavati dance-drama will be presented on the inaugural occasion on January 26, 2025, the first day of the festival. Its architect will be renowned artist Mr. Mukesh Tiwari. Besides, various programs will also be organized and demonstrated from 27 to 29 January, 2025 at 02 pm. Traditional dance, singing, crafts and cuisine fair will also be organized in the ceremony.
A colorful musical instrument exhibition showcasing more than 300 classical, folk and tribal traditional instruments is also being organized in the festival. On Monday, January 27, a musical presentation of 40 years of Lokrang’s journey will also be given in the accompaniment of 40 instruments, which is being directed by sitar player Ms. Smita Nagdev. A seminar on musical instruments in tradition, a publication of the Culture Department, will also be organized in Lokvarta. On the last day of the festival, on January 30, on the occasion of the death anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, Madhvas Rock Band, Vrindavan will perform devotional music.
People’s love – country’s love
Under ‘Lokraag’, regional singing will be presented every day from 2 pm onwards from 27th to 29th January. In which there will be presentation of Bagheli folk singing on 27th January, Bundeli folk singing on 28th January, Malvi and Nimari folk singing on 29th January. Whereas from 27th to 29th January, under ‘Deshraag’ from 06 PM, on 27th January, Alha singing by Mr. Jitendra Chaurasia and partner, Mahoba, on 28th January, Manganiyar folk singing by Mr. Jassu Manganiyar and partner, Jaipur, on 29th January, Ms. Rashmi Priya Jha. Maithili folk singing will be presented by And Sathi, Mumbai.
Heritage – Longitude
In the ‘Dharohar’ activity, tribal and folk dances of Madhya Pradesh and other 16 states will be showcased, which include Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Manipur, Jharkhand, Haryana, Arunachal. Dances from the state, Tripura, Jammu-Kashmir and Kerala will be presented. In the ‘Deshantar’ activity, dance performances will be given by cultural groups from Paris, Lebanon and Germany respectively from 27th to 29th January.
craft fair
The fair of various types of crafts in Lokrang has a unique identity. This time, traditional crafts will be sold and displayed by traditional craftsmen in the craft fair.
Taste
The cuisine fair is also an attraction in the huge premises of Lokrang. This time 15 tribal and regional chefs will participate and present their dishes, which will include Bhil, Baiga, Korku, Malvi, Bundeli, Marathi cuisine.
glee
There will be a display of puppetry and martial arts for children in Lokrang, in which the presentation of Kalaripayattu, Akhara, Gatka, Paika and masculine sports will be combined.
