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Musical soiree Deshaj begins today in Lucknow
Some 300 folk artists from across India are set to perform at a two-day cultural dance and music event at Ram Manohar Lohia Park, in Lucknow
Some 300 folk artists from across India are set to perform at a two-day cultural dance and music event at Ram Manohar Lohia Park, in Lucknow.
Titled Deshaj, the event will begin on Saturday from 5 pm onwards and will conclude on Sunday evening. Entry to the event organised by Son Chiraiya has been kept free.
“Folk artists from various states will showcase their regional art through dance and music. Punjab’s famous Bhangra, Haryana’s popular Dhamaal, Manipur’s local Thang-Ta and Pung Cholom, Gujarat’s old Siddi Dhamaal, besides Uttar Pradesh own art forms including Alha Gayan, Dhediya, among others, will be performed mostly by young artists,” said folk singer and secretary of Son Chiraiya Padma Shri Malini Awasthi.
“Son Chiraiya has been giving a national award ‘Lok Nirmala’ to distinguished female folk artists for the last three years which is given by CM Yogi Adityanath. This year, renowned folk artist and 2021 Padma Shri awardee, Manjamma Jogathi from Karnataka, will be given this award,” Awasthi said while informing the award was previously given to folk artists such as Padma Bhushan Teejan Bai, Padma Shri Gulabo Sapera and Padma Bhushan Sharda Sinha.
“She became the first transgender woman to be the president of Karnataka Janapada Academy, the state’s top institution for folk arts,” said Awasthi, who established Son Chiraiya 11 years ago.
13-member band from Punjab to perform today
Patiala-based music band Lok Nach Society will be performing at ‘Deshaj’ on Saturday.
The 13 members of the troupe, from different districts of Punjab, are all aged below 25. The youngsters, from different walks of life – science and engineering backgrounds too – have collaborated to preserve their rich culture. “We perform Bhangra along with our traditional musical instruments such as Sikka, Tumba, Algoza. Most of our songs are based on farmers, farms, crops among others,” said Ravi Kooner, the group leader.
