LOKRANG 2018- A Platform uniting artists from different cultures, States, traditions, and regions. Cultures shared among the Country and the Globe!
Event venue: – BHEL Dussehra Maidan, Bhopal (26 to 30 January, 2018)
This is the 33rd year of organizing ‘Lokarang’, a celebration of traditional arts. This festival, organized on the occasion of the Republic Day celebrations, is unique evidence of the extraordinary aesthetic, art consciousness and nature of the people of this country. People living in forest areas and rural areas in India, keep the community cultural tradition intact, make it a vibrant cultural tradition – ‘Lokrang’ is a unique example of it.
On the occasion of the Republic Day, this prestigious festival was organized every year on behalf of the Culture Department. It was inaugurated at 7 AM at BHEL Dussehra ground in the main hospitality of Mrs. Anandi Ben Patel, Hon’ble Governor of the State. Like previous years, Lokarang has also been configured in different dimensions, including exhibition arts, sale of various mediums, publication, traditional dishes.
For the past few years there has been a radical expansion of children in Lokrang in which films are being displayed. This time, interaction with artists, artisans, storytellers and filmmakers has also been organized in collaboration with film exhibition, informal training of story, painting and crafts for children. This event will be continued from evening till late night whereas children’s activities will be held from 2 to 5 pm from 27 to 29 January. Similarly, observation and purchase of exhibition and fair can be done after 12 noon.
The beginning of Lokranga was done with a grand story related to the life of people this year. This story is of the very deep pithora of the Bhili tribe. It is directed by Professor Lokendra Trivedi of the Senior Colors and NSD, New Delhi, whereas the role of the facilitator, Madhav Pradesh’s pride artist film actor, Govind Namdev, is immersed. Pithora Bhili is a science-centric narrative of life, which is portrayed by virtuous painters always there.
In the remaining days of Lokaranga, the dances of traditional artists of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Sikkim, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur and Tamil Nadu states is presented. The audience is enjoying dances like Saila, Kolhadheka, Sapera, Bhavai, Roof, Maruni, Dhanagiri Gaja, Karma, Dongri, Rai, Kavadi Kadgam, Jhandar, Gangaur etc. in particular. Artists from countries like Africa, Russia, China, France, etc. are also performing in this event. 
After transferring the previous year to the BHEL Dussehra ground, the generality of the population and its scope has become expanded and enriched. It has been the experience of the past year that more and more urbanists, artists and curious came there, and they enjoyed observation, excursions and demonstrations in a more comfortable and comfortable manner.
Disha News talked with one of the participants from Nagaland, Yotho Cyangami, “We have a very special dance from our community, like festival dance, Dancing for victory, War cry etc. Dance forms. We are so much in love with the City of lakes Bhopal and amazed by the hospitality of here.”
Ghanshyam Thakur from Chhattisgarh tells us, “We’re going to perform Karma Dance here, which is inherited culture of Aadivasi’s. Many people consider the Goddess of this dance is ‘Karamseni’, so many people consider Vishwakarma to be its ancestral deity. Most people link it to the story of King Karma, who organized this dance on getting rid of the disaster.”
One participant named Daji Kolegar from Sangli Dist. Maharashtra told, “We will perform our traditional Dance Dhangari Gaj today. This dance is performed by Gadaria caste, who are called ‘Dhangar’. We feed goat-sheep and live mostly around nature. The glimpse of its effect is also seen in our songs. Often these songs are in the form of Shayari. We all sit at night and play Dholak and sing and dance all together.”
List of Programs:-
- On 28th January: “Dharohar” – Traditional dance of MP
, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Jharkhand, Manipur will be performed.
“Deshantar” – Lion Dance China
- 29th January: “Dharohar” – Cultural Dances of Madhya Pradesh,Tamilnadu, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Nagaland.
“Deshantar” – African Acrobat, Russian Dance
- 30th January, 7pm –
Folk music “Peer parayi Jane re” On the occasion of Mahatma Gandhi’s Death anniversary and Martyr Day, by Famous Soofi Singer Kanwar Grewal from Bhatinda.
- 27 to 29 January, everyday at 2pm: “Ullaas” Movies for kids, Daastaan, Puppet play, Picture exhibition.
Dance/Music: Pop Music and Dance.
This Cultural festival sometimes concentrates entirely on West Indian cultures where it focuses on dance forms like those of Tarangamel Dance form of Goa which is filled with energy & youthfulness or, the Ghoomar dance form of Rajasthan performed by a group of artists called Naachato Rajasthan. Also, the dance forms from North Indian cultures are performed and dance forms like Nati of Himachal Pradesh performed by the Pahaadi people or Bhangra of Punjab.
Different forms of clothing from different places in India and abroad are represented in the performances held. These mainly include some famous dance forms like Kathi dance form of West Bengal & Lota dance form of Madhya Pradesh. Tribal dances are also performed which aesthetically portrays Indian Culture & Heritage.
