Folk fervour peaks in city with tribal treats & delightful beats

Bhopal: From the maiden step to the last swirl of colour, the 41st Lokrang Festival has turned Ravindra Bhavan and the MVM grounds into a breathing celebration of India's folk soul, drawing crowds into a whirlwind of dance, music, craft and culinary spirits. Held from 26–30 Jan 2026, this Republic Week extravaganza has been a living mosaic of tribal and regional artistry that resonates with both tradition and contemporary zest.
Wednesday, emerged as a luminous highlight. The day unfolded like a carnival of movement and rhythm: Rajasthan's Ghoomar and Punjab's Bhangra-Gidda cast colourful spirals in the aura, Odisha's Shringaari danced in expressive poetry and Gujarat's Tritali echoed with celebratory claps. Mallakhamb artistes showcased gravity-defying finesse, while Mathura's Braj Holi ignited the stage with festive Rasiya beats. Each performance was a story in motion—rooted in tradition, yet alive with modern energy.Amid aromatic stalls of local cuisine and vibrant craft exhibits, Anita Sharma, a visitor from Habibganj, said, "It felt like I was journeying through India without leaving Bhopal—the energy here isn't just seen, it's felt." Rohit Verma echoed the sentiment, adding, "Seeing century-old utensils in the Baasan exhibition made me appreciate our cultural roots anew." With over 1,100 artistes from across the country converging in one place, Lokrang has become more than a festival—it's a sonic, visual and sensory embrace of India's cultural heart that leaves audiences uplifted.