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Annual Folk Music Festival

March 2024 • Madhya Pradesh

Celebrating Living Traditions

Folk music and dance are the heartbeat of rural India, carrying stories, wisdom, and cultural identity across generations. Yet these traditions face extinction as younger generations migrate to cities and modern entertainment dominates. Our Annual Folk Music Festival was conceived as a vibrant celebration and preservation effort—bringing together artists, communities, and cultural enthusiasts in a three-day extravaganza.

The festival featured 50 folk artists from across Madhya Pradesh, representing diverse traditions—Bhil songs, Gond dances, Bundeli ballads, and Malwa folk theater. Over 2,000 community members attended, experiencing performances that many had never witnessed despite being part of their heritage. The event wasn't just entertainment—it was cultural education, reconnection, and revival.

Reviving Endangered Art Forms

The festival shone a spotlight on nearly forgotten art forms. Pandavani singers, whose epic storytelling once captivated villages, performed to thunderous applause. Traditional instrument makers demonstrated crafts like creating the chang (percussion) and bansuri (flute) from natural materials. Elder artists conducted workshops, teaching youth the songs and dances that define their cultural roots.

We documented every performance, creating a digital archive of these traditions. Young participants learned traditional dances and songs, many for the first time. The festival also created economic opportunities—artists received fair compensation, craft vendors sold traditional instruments and artifacts, and food stalls served authentic regional cuisine, supporting local livelihoods.

Cultural Pride Reborn

"I'm 75 years old and never thought our art would be celebrated like this," shares Ratan Bai, a Pandavani singer who had stopped performing years ago. "Seeing young people learn and appreciate our traditions gives me hope." 19-year-old Priya, who participated in a Gond dance workshop, adds, "I always thought folk culture was outdated. Now I understand it's our identity, and I'm proud to carry it forward."