Lucknow: The ten-day Uttarakhand Mahotsav, organized by the Uttarakhand Mahaparishad, concluded with grandeur at the Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Hill Cultural Park on Birbal Sahni Marg, Goma Ghat, this evening. The event, which showcased the rich culture and traditions of Uttarakhand, left spectators and stall holders yearning for an extension of the festival.
The festival featured numerous competitions, including poetry sessions (kavi sammelan), cultural displays from various states, and a diverse array of materials at over 200 stalls. Additionally, a health check-up camp, organized by KK Hospital, was a notable addition to the event. Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Pushkar Singh Dhami, addressed the attendees online, marking the official closing of the festival. The evening was graced by the presence of the chief guest, Lalit Bhargava, Executive Officer of SBI Life, along with key officials of the Mahaparishad, who collectively lit the ceremonial lamp.
A significant highlight of the festival was the “Uttarakhand Dance” and “Naachega Bharat Jhoda” competitions, which were the result of months of hard work by Puran Singh Jeena, Vice President, and Mahendra Singh Gailakoti, Cultural Secretary of the Mahaparishad. These competitions were met with overwhelming encouragement from the audience, making them a focal point of the event.
The Uttarakhand Mahaparishad expressed sincere gratitude to all those involved in making the festival a success. Key organizers, including Convener Diwan Singh Adhikari, President Harish Chandra Pant, Senior Vice President Mangal Singh Rawat, General Secretary Bharat Singh Bisht, and various other members, worked tirelessly to ensure the event’s smooth operation. Special mention was made of the women’s cell and active volunteers, whose contributions were vital in executing the festival.
Chairman Harish Chandra Pant extended heartfelt thanks to several institutions and organizations for their support, including State Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India, National Thermal Power Corporation, Uttar Pradesh’s Information and Public Relations Departments, Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Uttar Pradesh’s Tourism and Dairy Departments, and Lucknow’s Development Authority, among others. Additionally, he acknowledged the contributions of honored guests, officials, artists, stall holders, and the spectators.
Media In-charge Rajendra Singh Kanwal also lauded the coverage provided by the print and electronic media, recognizing their consistent and beautiful documentation of the festival throughout its ten-day run.
Throughout the event, traditional performances were a major draw. Artists from the Rangmandal Kalyanpur, under the guidance of Kamna Bisht and Shobha Patwal, presented the popular Chholiya dance of Uttarakhand, captivating the audience with their traditional attire, dance moves, and vibrant music. Alongside the performances, competitions were held that included solo dance contests, chair races, and Jhoda dance performances.
Interestingly a solo dance competition was organized under the supervision of the Women’s Cell President, Pushpa Vaishnav, and other committee members. Divya Patwal took the first position, followed by Pranjali Tripathi and Aaradhya. A chair race competition followed, which saw Rashmi Gupta clinch the first prize, followed by Radhika Bora and Deepa Joshi.
From 4 pm, the audience was treated to the mesmerizing Chholiya dance, presented by local artists, which featured energetic moves and stunts. Various dance and music groups performed, including the Smart Dance Academy, which entertained the crowd with their group dance performances. Uttar Pradesh Government Information Department’s artists also made their mark with highly appreciated performances.
Among the significant events was the presentation of a self-composed song by writer, poet, and litterateur Puran Singh Jeena, who also organized multiple competitions. One of the most awaited parts of the festival was the final round of the Jhoda competition, where six teams from different localities presented stunning performances. The Jhoda performances were a beautiful display of Uttarakhand’s traditional folk genre.
The festival also saw the final round of the “Naachega Bharat” competition, where five teams competed with Bollywood-inspired dances. The competition showcased talented performers from across the region, with City School of Dance, led by Divya Shukla, emerging as the first-place winners. The final round of the “Dance Uttarakhand Dance” competition also saw intense competition among six teams, with Naya Savera Foundation from Neelmatha emerging victorious.
The total prize money for the competition winners amounted to approximately Rs. 5 lakh. The first-place team in the Jhoda competition received Rs. 15,000, the winners of “Dance Uttarakhand Dance” were awarded Rs. 51,000, and the “Naachega Bharat” winners received Rs. 15,000.
In conclusion, the Uttarakhand Mahotsav was a grand success, with a multitude of activities and performances that celebrated the cultural diversity of Uttarakhand. The Mahaparishad has vowed to continue these efforts in future editions, ensuring that this vibrant festival grows in scale and reaches an even wider audience.
