“Lokaanuranjan Mela” Kicks Off Today on the 75th Foundation Day of Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal

Udaipur: The internationally renowned institution Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, Udaipur begins its two-day Lokaanuranjan Mela today to celebrate its 75th Foundation Day.

Dr. Laik Hussain, Director of Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal, stated that the institution was established in 1952 by the late Padma Shri Devi Lal Samar. Every year, the Foundation Day is marked with national folk entertainment fairs and craft exhibitions. This year, the 75th Foundation Day celebrations are being held with grandeur.

On the first day, February 22, 2026, artists of Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal will perform Rajasthani folk songs and the puppet play “Kalibai” starting at 4:30 PM.

The second day, February 23, 2026, will feature Rajasthani folk dances, including Bhampag from Alwar and Fad recital groups from Jodhpur, beginning at 7:00 PM. Entry for the general public to both events is free.

Dr. Hussain further informed that from February 21, 2026, the institution has also organized an “Adi Bazaar” in collaboration with the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED). The inauguration was done by Shri Chunni Lal Garasiya, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha).

The Adi Bazaar will run until March 1, 2026, featuring 30 stalls showcasing tribal handicrafts, art, paintings, textiles, jewelry, meenakari, bamboo crafts, and organic products from across India. Highlights include:

• Rajasthan: Bagru printed textiles, Jaipur Blue Pottery decorative items

• Gujarat: Pithora paintings, Bandhej/Bandhani textiles

• Karnataka: Bidri art home decor items

• Chhattisgarh & Odisha: Dokra art

• Madhya Pradesh: Bag print textiles, Gond paintings

• Tamil Nadu: Toda woven textiles

• North-East India: Bamboo and cane products

• Himachal Pradesh: Pattu and woolen weaving

• Maharashtra: Warli paintings

• Odisha: Sora paintings

• Manipur: Longpi (black pottery)

The event aims to showcase India’s rich tribal and folk artistry while providing a platform for artisans to reach wider audiences.