To start 2016 off with a bang, the
Department of Art and Culture and Government of Goa in collaboration with the
West Zone Cultural Centre Udaipur, Kala Academy and Sports Authority of Goa is hosting
the 17th edition of Lokotsav Folk festival from today. One of the
most awaited events in Goa, thanks to its focus on some of the most ancient and
interesting folk art and craft of this vibrant country, Lokotsav 2016 will go
on till January 17 at three venues in Kala Academy – Darya Sangam, DMK Hall and
the open air auditorium.
According to the organisers, the festival
will see around 1200 artisans and 700 performing artists present their work in
front of the Goan audiences. Performing troupes from all corners of the
country, like West Bengal, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Gujarat,
Karnataka, Sikkim, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Assam and Goa
will showcase their folk art and craft at the festival. Furthermore, two
international troupes – from Russia and Sri Lanka each will rub shoulders with
Indian artistes and performers to enthrall the audiences at the festival.
People can look forward to witnessing some
riveting performances fromYakshagana from Karnataka, Baul (music), Bangla
Qawwali (music) and Natua dance (Origin of Chau dance) from West Bengal,
Bajasaal dance from Odisha, Lokgeet (music) and Ramleela (folk theatre) from
Bihar, Baster Band and Padwani from Chattisgarh, Tamasha from Maharashtra and
much more. The festival will also host a section of Goan folk arts at the open
air auditorium where Goan folk artistes will perform programmeslike Kalo,
Jagor, Ranmale, etc. Furthermore, in what can be called a positive move towards
the development and preservation of Goan folk art, these programmeswill be
performed by students from schools across Goa.
With an equal amount of focus on rural
craft as the rich folk art, Lokotsav will see workshops being conducted in
tie-and-die and chikankari needle work for the benefit of general public. There
will be a food zone and handicrafts stalls put up to promote traditional foods
and crafts from Goa and other states.
