Day Four of Lok Samvardhan Parv
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 14 Jul: The fourth day of the 6th Lok Samvardhan Parv transformed Parade Ground, Dehradun, into a vibrant celebration of Uttarakhand’s rich musical traditions, as hundreds of visitors gathered to witness a spectacular line-up of cultural performances by some of the state’s most celebrated folk artists. Organised by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, in collaboration with the Uttarakhand Minorities Welfare and Waqf Development Corporation, Government of Uttarakhand, the festival continued to attract enthusiastic visitors who explored traditional crafts, regional cuisines and an evening filled with captivating musical performances.
Throughout the day, visitors explored artisanal stalls showcasing an extensive collection of traditional handicrafts, handloom textiles, heritage crafts and regional products from across the country.
The cultural festivities commenced with an energetic performance by Rohit Chauhan, one of Uttarakhand’s most popular young folk singers, who is widely known for promoting Garhwali and Kumaoni music. His vibrant renditions of audience favourites including ‘Nandre’, ‘Dhan Singh Ki Gaadi’, ‘Rupsa Ramoti’, along with several other popular tracks, had the audience singing along and celebrating the rich folk traditions of the Himalayan State.
The celebrations continued with an enthralling performance by renowned folk singer and composer Maya Upadhyay, whose melodious voice and celebrated compositions beautifully showcased the essence of Uttarakhand’s cultural heritage. She mesmerised the audience with some of her most loved songs, including ‘Cream Paudara’, ‘Caha Ko Hotel’ and ‘Aakhyon Me Suram’, receiving an overwhelming response from music lovers.
The highlight of the evening was an electrifying performance by the acclaimed Uttarakhand-based folk-fusion band Pandavaas, whose unique blend of traditional folk music with contemporary musical arrangements created an unforgettable experience for the audience. The band presented soul-stirring renditions of ‘Raadha’, ‘Dhunyaal’ and ‘Ganpati Deva’, besides performing several of their other popular compositions. Their high-energy performance beautifully celebrated the folklore, traditions and cultural identity of Uttarakhand, earning thunderous applause from the packed audience.
The representative from Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, said, “Lok Samvardhan Parv is not only providing artisans with a national platform for business and market access but is also celebrating India’s extraordinary cultural diversity. Today’s performances beautifully reflected the rich musical heritage of Uttarakhand, making the festival a unique confluence of traditional crafts, culture and community.”
Visitors also continued to benefit from interactions with artisans and entrepreneurs participating in the exhibition, while exploring handcrafted products ranging from handloom textiles and woodcraft to brassware, bamboo products, terracotta, Ajrakh prints and traditional jewellery.
The festival is open to the public at Parade Ground, Dehradun, till 15 July, from 11:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Entry is free for all visitors.
The grand finale on 15 July will feature a spectacular live performance by renowned Punjabi singer Parmish Verma, bringing the curtains down on the five-day celebration of India’s rich arts, crafts, cuisine and cultural traditions.
