Lucknow: The two-day Lokotsav organised by the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi began on a vibrant note with captivating folk performances at the academy’s open-air stage in Gomti Nagar on Saturday. The festival is being held on March 7 and 8 to mark a traditional folk celebration and the occasion of International Women’s Day 2026.
The inaugural evening featured renowned folk singer Dr. Sucharita Gupta from Varanasi and Alha singer Jitendra Chaurasia from Mahoba, who enthralled the audience with their powerful and melodious performances.
The festival was formally inaugurated with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by Akademi Chairman Prof. Jayant Khot, Vice-Chairperson Vibha Singh, and Director Dr. Shobhit Kumar Nahar, along with Dr. Sucharita Gupta. Among the distinguished guests present was Dr. Mithilesh Tiwari, Vice-Chairperson of the Birju Maharaj Kathak Sansthan.
Speaking at the inaugural session, Vice-Chairperson Vibha Singh said that such cultural events strengthen the spirit of unity and harmony in society. She highlighted the growing role of women in music and other fields of social development, quoting the Sanskrit phrase “Yatra Naryastu Pujyante Ramante Tatra Devata”, which means that where women are respected, divine blessings prevail.
Dr. Sucharita Gupta opened the evening with the well-known thumri “Re Main Kaise Kesar Rang Ghoru” in Mishra Kafi, presented in a distinctive Banarasi style. She then continued with the popular Hori in Raag Sahana, “Hori Main Khelungi Shyam Se Dat Ke,” reflecting the vibrant spirit of the recent Holi celebrations.
Carrying forward the rich flow of folk traditions, she presented the Baramasa “Dupahariya Bitalay Ho, Nai Jhoolni Ke Chhaiyan Balam”, followed by the popular Dadra “Rooth Gaye Saiyan Hamar.” She also performed two Chaiti songs—“Sutal Saiyan Ke Jagave” and “Bairan Re Koyaliya Tori Boli Na Suhaye”—depicting the emotions of longing and separation. Her performance reached a high point with the Hori “Gaura Sang Bhola Khelat Hori,” earning warm applause from the audience. She was accompanied by Pandit Pankaj Mishra on harmonium and Pandit Lalit Kumar on tabla.
The second performance of the evening featured dynamic Alha singing by Jitendra Chaurasia of Bundelkhand Lok Kala Samiti, Mahoba. Through traditional Veer Ras storytelling, he narrated episodes of the battles of Mahoba, Mandavgarh and Kajli, filling the atmosphere with heroic fervour.
Chaurasia was joined by Sharad Anuragi, Rahul Anuragi and Dushyant Bundela in vocal support. The musical ensemble included Sumendra Kumar on harmonium, Radharaman on dholak, Uday Prakash on pakhawaj, and Anurag on jhanjh manjira. Unlike the usual Alha performances that feature limited percussion, the group enhanced the presentation with additional vocalists and traditional instruments, adding depth and grandeur to the performance.
The audience responded enthusiastically when the artists performed the powerful lines “Khat-Khat-Khat-Khat Tega Bole, Khat-Khat Bol Rahi Talwar, Bade Ladaiya Mahoba Wale, Jinse Haar Gayi Talwar,” which filled the venue with energy and applause.
The beautifully decorated campus remained lively till late evening as visitors enjoyed the rich musical traditions of folk culture. On Sunday, the second day of the festival will feature performances by Lucknow-based folk singer Reena Tandon and folk dance artist Murari Lal Sharma from the Braj region.
