Udaipur Kiran – The Shilpgram Festival 2025 in Udaipur witnessed an exhilarating display of folk dances from across India, captivating audiences with cultural richness and rhythmic energy. The highlight was the lively ‘Dhamal’ dance from Haryana’s Ahir community, performed on the packed Muktakashi stage on Saturday. Rooted in celebrations of a good harvest, this folk dance from Gurgaon and nearby areas mesmerised viewers with its spirited steps, graceful expressions, and traditional beats played on drums, tasha, nagada, and been.
Alongside Haryana’s vibrant performance, audiences enjoyed diverse folk art forms like the acrobatic warfare dances of Rai Bense and Natua from West Bengal, the elegant Lavani dance of Maharashtra with its expressive gestures, and the traditional Dhediya dances from Uttar Pradesh. Each performance resonated deeply, bringing alive the festival’s theme ‘Lok Ke Rang – Lok Ke Sang’ and earning warm applause from Mewar’s art enthusiasts.
Rajasthan’s Kalbelia dance impressed with dancers skillfully twirling upside down, balancing a rumal below the mouth and a coin on the ground with their eyes, creating a spectacular visual treat. West Bengal’s Purulia Chhau dance presented a unique fusion of classical dance and martial arts, depicting scenes from the Mahabharata and Ramayana, which left the audience spellbound and applauding enthusiastically.
The Siddhi Dhamal dance continued to enthral spectators with its thrilling style, while the popular Karn Dhol performance charmingly engaged the crowd. The lighthearted Chapeli folk dance from Uttarakhand tickled the audience with its playful teasing, and Assam’s Bihu dance beautifully showcased the region’s folk culture.
Other captivating presentations included Jammu’s traditional Dogri Jagran dance, Rajasthan’s Sahariya tribal Swang dance, Manipur’s martial art-based Thang-Ta stick dance, and Punjab’s energetic Bhangra, which had the entire Shilpgram audience dancing along. The event was expertly hosted by Mohita Dixit and Madhuri Sharma.
On the Banjara stage, the ongoing ‘Hivda Ri Hook’ program entered its seventh day, featuring performances by artists of all ages. Program coordinator Saurabh Bhatt engaged the crowd with a quiz segment, rewarding correct answers with gifts, adding to the event’s interactive charm.
Throughout Shilpgram, from 11 am to 6 pm, various traditional performances on different platforms kept visitors entertained. Friday’s highlights included tribal Ger dance at the main gate courtyard, Baazigar near the courtyard, Terhthali at Devra, Bhawai at Chaupal, Kucchi Gyan at Banni, Manganiyar singing at Sam, Been Jogi at Bhojodi, folk tales at Pithora, and numerous other cultural showcases representing tribes and communities from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Meena tribe from Rajasthan.
Adding to the festive atmosphere, daily roaming performers transformed into different characters, delighting visitors with their acting skills. The Shilpgram grounds also featured sculptures, beautiful huts, and multiple selfie points, becoming popular spots for attendees to capture memorable moments.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
