The yearly national folk festival, Lokotsav-2025 is one of the much-anticipated event on the cultural calendar of Goa. Organised by the Directorate of Art & Culture in collaboration with West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, Kala Academy, Sports Authority of Goa and Corporation of the City of Panaji, the festival presents folk forms and handicrafts from all over India. This year, Lokutsav is held till January 26 at Darya Sangam, Kala Academy, and will feature around 600 folk artists of different Indian states and around 1000 craft persons showcasing their handicraft items. With 550 stalls, art lovers are spoilt for choice with handicrafts items like Bandhani, Kathputali, Lac bangles, leather bags, leather foot wares, Khadi, Kotha, carpets, glass wear, clay art, wooden toys, print, appliqué work as well as Goan crafts.
The folk artists are from
Rajastthan, Gujarat, Assam, Manipur, Haryana, West Bengal, Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, Tripura, Jammu and Kashmir and Kerala.
The 600 folk artists from other states will perform the folk dances and music. Rajasthan artistes will perform Mangniy, Kalbelia, Bhavai, Chari Nrutya, Bahurupia and puppeteers dance. Bihu be performed by Assam artistes. Mewasi, Siddhi Dhamal and Garba are the dances from Gujarat that will be performed. Pung Dhol Cholam, Thangta by the state of Manipur, Purulia Chhau, Natua Nrutya and Raibenshe by West Bengal will be showcased to the audience. Maharashtra will present Lawni and Powada while Haryana will present Ghumar Pha, Odisha will perform Gotipua, Uttar Pradesh will perform Dheendhiya and Karnataka will perform Dollu Kunitha.