Lucknow: The ongoing Uttarakhand Mahotsav at Pt. Govind Ballabh Pant Parvatiya Sanskritik Upvan, Birbal Sahni Marg, continues to captivate visitors with its vibrant décor, lined-up stalls, and a grand stage alive with diverse cultural performances and competitions. The rhythmic beats of the Chholiya dance troupe add a distinct touch of Uttarakhand’s folk culture to the festive atmosphere.
On the second day of the festival, organized by the Uttarakhand Mahaparishad, the event was inaugurated by Sameeran Sinha Ray, Chief General Manager & Regional Head (HR), NTPC Northern & Eastern Region-II, and Sangeeta Sinha Ray, Vice President, Uttara Ladies Club, NTPC Lucknow, along with office bearers of the Mahaparishad. The traditional lamp-lighting ceremony marked the auspicious start.
In his address, the Chief Guest lauded the Mahaparishad’s efforts in promoting folk art and culture, emphasizing that such events provide platforms for folk artists to preserve and propagate their traditions. “These festivals inspire youth and help transmit our cultural heritage to the next generation,” he said. The Mahaparishad extended gratitude to NTPC for co-sponsoring the event.
A series of competitions and performances kept audiences engaged throughout the day. The Kafal solo singing contest for participants above five years saw Ambadutt Kandpal, Deveshwari Pawar, and Renu Sinha emerge as the top three winners. Judges included Sunita Kanwal and Sita Negi. The event was supervised by Pushpa Vaishnav, Renu Tiwari, and Pushpa Gailakoti.
The evening took a devotional turn with “Mahishasur Mardini”, a visual portrayal of the nine forms of Goddess Durga, presented by Baidehi Welfare Foundation under the leadership of Dr. Ruby Raj Sinha. The tableau featured Kalpana Singh as Radha Rani, Aarti Nigam as Sherawali Maiya, and Poonam Srivastava as Kali Mata, among others.
Several dignitaries and cultural leaders attended the program, including Diwan Singh Adhikari, Harish Chandra Pant, Bharat Singh Bisht, Rajesh Bisht, and Mangal Singh Rawat.
Media in-charge Rajendra Singh Kanwal shared that events like Dance Uttarakhand Dance, Naachega Bharat, Jhora, and Voice of Uttarakhand have gained immense popularity among audiences, thanks to the efforts of Pooran Singh Jeena and Mahendra Singh Gailakoti.
Performances by Anya Bhatt, Namrata Mishra, Ranjana Joshi, Supriya Rawat, and others enchanted spectators. Folk dance troupes from the Lok Sangeet Foundation and Lok Sanskriti Foundation showcased traditional Kumaoni and Garhwali numbers such as “Meri Dhai Hathe Dhameli Pooji ke Kamra” and “Gulabi Sarara”, drawing loud applause.
The evening segment featured Hansa Nritya Natya Kala Vikas Society from Dehradun, supported by the Department of Culture, Uttarakhand, presenting Ganesh Vandana, Raso, and Ghisyari under the leadership of Indu Bhatt Mamgai. The folk orchestra—featuring Gaurav Arya on dholak, Kunal Joshi on tabla, and Harshit Dangi on pads—added musical depth to the performances.
Other highlights included the Jhora competition with five teams, Voice of Uttarakhand featuring singers Jagat Singh Dhapola, Lakshman Singh Martolia, Deepak Parwal, and Pankaj Wangdi, and Naachega Bharat with dance teams led by Dr. Shreya, Manish Tripathi, and Divya Shukla.
The Dance Uttarakhand Dance – Season 4 segment saw energetic folk numbers from Srujanakur Group (Priyanka Bisht), Ehasas Group (Radha Bora), Umang Group (Sushila Negi), and Johar Munsyari Cultural Troupe (Nanda Rawat), turning the venue into a celebration of rhythm and heritage.
Tomorrow’s highlights include group singing competitions, Chholiya dance, and thematic performances such as Matru Poojan, Ghoomar, and Sufi Kathak by Sumit Singh. The day will conclude with traditional Pahadi dances and cultural showcases led by artists from across Uttarakhand.
With its perfect blend of tradition, art, and festivity, the Uttarakhand Mahotsav continues to reaffirm Lucknow’s love for cultural confluence and the rich legacy of the hills.
