Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh's rich cultural tapestry and folk art are set to take center stage as the state government plans to host the 'Sanskriti Utsav 2023' from December 25 to January 26, 2024, promising an extravagant celebration aimed at showcasing the region's diverse cultural heritage.

Under the theme 'Uttar Pradesh Parv: Our Culture, Our Identity,' the festival aims to provide a platform for local artists across the state to exhibit their talents and compete for prestigious awards, as per a government announcement.

The Department of Culture in Uttar Pradesh will orchestrate this festival, spanning various levels - from tehsil, district, division, to the state - featuring a plethora of contests highlighting classical and semi-classical music, a wide array of folk dances, and diverse musical forms.

The grandeur of the 'Sanskriti Utsav 2023' is evident as events will unfold across every corner of the state. The contests will commence at the tehsil headquarters from December 25 to 30, drawing artists from villages, panchayats, blocks, and tehsils to participate. Subsequently, from January 1 to 5, selected artists from the tehsil level will advance to district-level competitions. Following this, from January 10 to 15, competitions will ascend to the divisional headquarters, showcasing talents of artists selected at the district level.

After passing through three more stages, the competition will culminate in Lucknow, marking the decisive stage. Selected artists from the divisional level will earn the opportunity to participate in the main event, where they will be felicitated, the release outlined.

The success of this event hinges on widespread participation involving government and semi-government entities, educational institutions, voluntary organizations, Nehru Yuva Kendra, National Cadet Corps, and social activists at various levels. The Information and Public Relations Department will undertake extensive measures to publicize the Utsav.

Various competitions will be held encompassing classical singing like Khayal and Dhrupad, semi-classical singing with Thumri, Dadra, Chaiti, Chaita, Jhoola, Hora, Tappa, and instrumental competitions featuring flute, shehnai, harmonium, sitar, violin, guitar, sarangi, veena, tabla, pakhawaj, mridangam, and ghatam, among others. Dance competitions will embrace Kathak, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Mohiniyattam, and other classical forms, along with folk dances like Dhoobiya, Ahirwa, Karma, Shaila, Domkach, Akheta, and folk drama such as Nautanki, Ramleela, Raslila, Swang, Bhagat, Bahurupiya, Nukkad Natak, among others.

Competitions in folk singing will cover categories like Kajri, Chaiti, Jhoola, Biraha, Alha, Nirgun, Lokgeet, and Qawwali. Additionally, there will be competitions in the easy music category for songs, ghazals, bhajans, and patriotic songs. Solo and group dance performances with recorded music will also be accepted. Victorious artists in the competitions will be honored with medals, certificates, and mementoes.

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