Shilpgram Utsav-21 to 30 December 2023
West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur
Udaipur. Governor Kalraj Mishra said that the fragrance of life lies in folk culture. He said that culture is not a thing, but a way of life. It is the duty of every countryman to preserve his culture and keep it intact. Recalling the bravery and sacrifice of Rajasthan, Mishra described it as the land of Maharana Pratap, Pannadhay as well as palaces and temples and said that there is art and culture in every particle of Marudhara. He wholeheartedly praised and congratulated the West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, and the Centre’s Director Kiran Soni Gupta and her team for organizing the Shilpgram Utsav.
He was addressing art lovers at the ten-day ‘Shilpgram Utsav’ being organized by the Western Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur under the Union Ministry of Culture. He said that Shilpgram Utsav is not an ordinary festival, but a symbol of a unique confluence of folk culture from across the country. Here people from different states of the country with different languages and food habits are getting an opportunity to meet and understand each other.
He said that Shilpgram comes alive only with the confluence of handicrafts and all the folk arts. When everyone has the same goal and the same feeling, then only the concept of such a festival takes shape. The Governor appreciated the art camp, competition, workshop, and exhibition organized during the Shilpgram Utsav.
Earlier, Governor Mishra inaugurated and visited the Mural Art Exhibition at Sangam Auditorium of Shilpgram. He also saw the market.
Earlier in the welcome address, Kiran Soni Gupta, Director of Western Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, said in the welcome address that art and culture are not only our identity but also the strength of the country. It is the duty of all of us to connect people with folk culture and also create connection with it among new people. He said that the Western Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur has organized successful events like Har Ghar Tiranga, Vande Mataram, and National Culture Festival as per the policy of the Central Government. Apart from this, many workshops and camps were also organized to promote art. He said that Shilpgram Utsav is a big iconic program of our center. Along with four Padmashree artists, more than a thousand artisans and artists have participated in it.
In his presidential address, Udaipur Mayor Govind Singh Tank appealed to the people of Udaipur to shop from the stalls of artisans established here. He also appreciated this big event.
Later, Governor Kalraj Mishra, Udaipur Mayor GS Tank, and West Zone Cultural Center Director Kiran Soni Gupta formally inaugurated the festival by playing drums after lighting the lamp.
Vyas and Jadeja were awarded the Padma Bhushan Dr. Komal Kothari Memorial Life Time Achievement Award.
On this occasion, the Governor awarded Padma Bhushan to Dr. Rajesh Kumar Vyas, who has made a significant contribution to the preservation, promotion, and propagation of folk arts through his excellent writings for 25 years, and Jayendra Singh Jadeja, who has contributed to four decades in folk dance presentation and dance direction. Dr. Komal Kothari was honored with the Smriti Life Time Achievement Award. Each was honored with Rs 2.51 lakh and a citation along with a shawl.
Dr. Vyas wrote 25 books, among which Sanskriti Rajasthan, Kalavaak, Rang Naad, Sur Jo Sage etc. are notable. At the same time, famous folk artist Jadeja conducted 745 programs and organized 84 workshops in India as well as in different countries.
