Lucknow: The ten-day Uttarakhand Festival, organized by the Uttarakhand Maha Parishad, continued its celebration on the banks of the Gomti, where Lucknowites were treated to the vibrant cultural heritage of Uttarakhand. On the festival’s second evening, the atmosphere was alive with music, colors, and the sounds of traditional instruments as the Chholia dance group from Uttarakhand showcased their skills, bringing a piece of the mountains to the plains.
Grand Opening Ceremony
The evening’s events commenced with an inauguration ceremony by Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Hon’ble Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), joined by regional councilor Pramod Rajan, Maha Parishad convenor Diwan Singh Adhikari, President Harish Chandra Pant, Senior Vice President Mangal Singh Rawat, and General Secretary Bharat Singh Bisht. Lighting the ceremonial lamp, these dignitaries set the stage for a memorable evening. Dr. Sharma praised the Uttarakhand Maha Parishad for organizing the festival annually and lauded their efforts in sharing Uttarakhand’s rich culture with Lucknow. He expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome, noting how the event fostered a cross-cultural appreciation.
A Feast for the Senses: Stalls and Cultural Performances
One of the festival’s key highlights is the thoughtfully designed venue, courtesy of Maha Parishad Secretary Rajesh Bisht, who incorporated modern design elements into the stall arrangements. Over 200 stalls lined the venue, offering visitors a variety of products from Uttarakhand and other states. Among the attractions were stalls selling Uttarakhand’s specialty pulses, herbal juices, Kashmiri shawls, handwoven carpets, and handmade items from self-help groups across India. Traditional food stalls served authentic Uttarakhand dishes, including the famous Bal Mithai, drawing in crowds with enticing aromas and flavors.
The Sunday turnout saw a large crowd, much to the delight of the stall vendors. To accommodate the influx of visitors, special bus services were arranged from various areas in Lucknow, ensuring ease of access for all.
Competitions and Cultural Showcases
Solo Dance Competition
Kicking off the day’s festivities was a solo dance competition featuring young participants aged 5 to 15. Twelve talented children captivated the audience with their performances, showcasing an impressive range of dance styles. Shubhi Agarwal emerged as the first-place winner, followed by Gargi Dwivedi in second and a shared third place for Anita and Anay Bhatt. Special contributions from organizers Pushpa Vaishnav, Renu Adhikari, and Rajeshwari Rawat made the event a success. Mrs. Kamla Chufal and Anjali Baunal presided as judges.
Culinary Showcase
The flavors of Uttarakhand were on full display as 35 artists competed in a traditional cooking competition. Poonam Kanwal and Rajeshwari Rawat won first place, with Vimala Chauhan and Neelam Adhikari following closely. Esteemed judges, including Prema Pandey, Manju Padliya, and Deepak Bhatt, evaluated each dish on authenticity, taste, and presentation.
Jhoda Dance and Other Performances
Adding to the cultural tapestry, groups of women adorned in Uttarakhand’s traditional attire performed the Jhoda dance. Five teams from various parts of Lucknow—including Shivani Vihar, Gangotri Vihar, and Alok Nagar—captivated the audience with their synchronized moves and vibrant costumes, each under the expert guidance of their team leaders.
Evening Performances: Highlights from Dance and Song
The highlight of the evening was the Chholia dance performed by artists from the Udhanchal Kala Kendra, Almora, in collaboration with the Chholia Dance-Culture Department, Dehradun. Spectators were spellbound as the dancers wielded swords and shields, moving rhythmically to the beat of traditional instruments such as the Masqabin, Ransingh, and trumpets.
Additional performances featured beautiful renditions by dancers Aaroha Verma, Anne Bhatt, and Princy, whose graceful moves captivated the crowd. Classical and folk performances followed, with Kathak by Gargi Dwivedi and a classical dance by Anika Srivastava. Aditi Adhikari, Priya Bhatt, and Siddhi Joshi presented the “Pahadi Messap,” a beloved folk dance piece choreographed by Aditya Adhikari.
Special Group Performances
Dance Uttarakhand Dance Season-3
Teams from different parts of Lucknow, including the Umang Group and Johar Team Vikas Nagar, participated in “Dance Uttarakhand Dance Season-3.” Their energetic performances brought the essence of Uttarakhand’s traditions to life. Under the choreography of Mahendra Galakoti and Ashu Raturi, each group aimed to secure top marks, impressing judges and audiences alike with their dynamic choreography.
Naachega Bharat Competition
In the Naachega Bharat competition, three notable teams—Heart and Soul Academy, Anita Singh’s troupe, and the City School of Dance—performed diverse and intricate routines, earning applause from the audience. Led by Ms. Divya Shukla, the City School of Dance team delivered an engaging performance that left an impression on everyone present.
Uttarakhand’s Music and Folk Heritage on Display
The evening concluded with a powerful musical session led by Surendra Rajeshwari and Ashok Singh Khadka of the Byakhya Jan Jagriti Cultural Music and Drama Committee from Khatima. Supported by the Uttarakhand Government’s Information Department, the group performed folk dances such as the Nanda Rajjaat Yatra, Bagwal, and Hudki Baul. Their traditional songs brought the audience closer to the soul of Uttarakhand’s culture, evoking nostalgia and pride.
Upcoming Events on November 11, 2024
As the festival continues, tomorrow’s program promises more excitement:
- 2:00 PM: Solo Dance and Chair Race for ages 5 and above
- 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM: Chholia Dance by Udhanchal Kala Kendra, Almora
- Debate on Prakriti Naman (Nature Worship): A 15-minute session
- Women’s Poets Meet: A 60-minute literary gathering
- Jhoda Dance Competition: Performances by five teams led by Deepa Bisht, Sushila Negi, Usha Rawat, Hema Vangi, and Trilochini Rawat
- Naachega Bharat Competition: Dance performances by four groups led by Renu Kandpal, Shailendra Singh, Mamta Rawat, and Dr. Shreya
- Dance Uttarakhand Dance, Season-3: Showcasing four teams, including Arts and Cultural Group and Nayi Dishayen Nainital
- Bundeli Rai Dance: Performed by artists from Jhansi, with support from the Culture Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh
The Uttarakhand Festival continues to be a resounding success, bringing together the people of Lucknow in a celebration of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage.
