Shilpgram Utsav 2025: Gotipua Dance Charms Lord Jagannath with a Blend of Devotion and Acrobatics

Udaipur: When devotion and strength come together—spirituality blending seamlessly with skill and acrobatics—the result is the captivating Gotipua dance. This mesmerizing art form left audiences spellbound on Thursday evening at the Muktakashi Stage during Shilpgram Utsav 2025, with a magnificent performance by artists from Odisha.

Many spectators initially believed the performers to be female dancers. However, the revelation that the dancers were actually young boys dressed in complete female attire astonished everyone. Adorned in traditional costumes, the performers showcased graceful feminine expressions and perfectly controlled dance movements to please Lord Jagannath. To enhance the divine entertainment, they also presented thrilling acrobatic feats, including impressive human pyramids. The powerful combination of devotion, elegance, and daring stunts filled not only the Muktakashi Stage but the entire Shilpgram complex with thunderous applause.

On the fifth evening of the ten-day Shilpgram Utsav, organized by the North Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, the festival was further enriched with vibrant folk performances from various states. Each presentation beautifully reflected the theme “Lok ke Rang – Lok ke Sang.”

Audiences were enchanted by Gujarat’s energetic Garba set to Gujarati folk tunes and Jammu’s traditional Dogri folk dance, Jagarna. Rajasthan’s Sahariya Swang dance depicting tribal culture and the elegant Safed Angi Gair also won hearts. Goa’s Dekhni dance, portraying women requesting a boatman to help them cross a river, Tripura’s Hojagiri dance with remarkable bottle-balancing skills, and Odisha’s tribal Sambalpuri dance received enthusiastic applause.

Spectators were thrilled by the breathtaking feats of Maharashtra’s Mallakhamb artists, applauding every daring move. Haryana’s popular Ghoomar and Rajasthan’s Deru dance dedicated to folk deity Gogaji were also highly appreciated. Other captivating performances included Rajasthan’s Been-Jogi, West Bengal’s martial art-infused Natua dance, Chhattisgarh’s Pandavani Gyan narrating the epic tales of the Pandavas, and the action-packed Thangta-stick folk performance, all of which delighted and energized the audience.

The programme was smoothly conducted by anchors Durgesh Chandwani and Mohita Dixit.

Fairgoers Enjoy ‘Hivda Ri Hook’

At the Banjara Stage, the interactive programme ‘Hivda Ri Hook’ continued to entertain visitors on its fifth day as well. Fairgoers showcased their talents by singing songs, reciting poetry, and performing other creative acts. The quiz session conducted by coordinator Saurabh Bhatt attracted enthusiastic participation from people of all age groups, with instant prizes awarded to correct answers.

Folk Entertainment Across Various Thadas

Across Shilpgram, different thadas (performance spots) hosted continuous folk entertainment from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., keeping visitors engaged throughout the day. Performances included Kachhi Ghodi and Been-Jogi near the main gate, Gavri and Garba at Bhujodi, Chakri at Pithora, acrobatics near the Angan, Powada and wrestling at Devra, Masak Vadan at Banni, Manganiyar singing in the Big Bazaar, Gondhal at the market corner, Ghumat at Sam, puppet shows at Goa Rural, and Been-Jogi and Chakri near the Darpan Food Court, along with Sundari performances at the Darpan Gate.

Adding to the festive atmosphere, roaming Bahurupiya artists entertained visitors across the premises. Stone sculptures installed at various locations within the Shilpgram complex emerged as major attractions and have also become popular selfie points among visitors.