There are a huge number of museums that are spread all across India, and Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal, Udaipur is one of the best among them. Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal is a museum. It is amongst the most important cultural establishments in the ‘City of Lakes’. It houses thousands of objects and artifacts that depict the culture of the region and bearing testimony to the rich heritage of the Mewari region. Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal also consists performance center, an academic center for research and documentation and a craft training center. The training center works towards providing better technical knowledge to the local craftsperson as well as the general learners so that they can increase their efficiency without having to compromise with their creative skills.
The puppetry unit of Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal certainly deserves to be mentioned in this regard, as it has done an exemplary job of keeping this 2000-year old art alive. There is not only a puppet performance center staging regular shows but there are also puppetry training courses for children and adults.
Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal History:
This establishment was constructed by Padma Shri Devi Lal Samar in 1952, the main purpose of Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal is to promote and uphold the many traditional art forms, both applied and performing, and constantly reach it to the future generations of the country. The museum plays a huge role in achieving that aim. Folk and Tribal art is something that is almost endangered in the world of consumerism. Therefore, the Lok Kala Mandal Udaipur endeavors every day to keep it alive via its varied expositions. It is one of the most visited attractions in Udaipur for the very reason.
Tourist Attractions in Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal:
This museum is home to a rare compilation of rural Rajasthani attires, weapons, ornaments, toys, musical instruments, utensils, paintings, handicraft items, and handmade items of everyday use. As you enter inside the Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal, the first hall has a beautiful exhibition of the theatre objects, while the next hall is dedicated to the tribal folk musical instruments and ornaments.
Next comes up a wonderful exhibition of henna handprints, adorned by cow dung floors and devras or small shrines made of terracotta which are prevalent in the village of Molela near Nathdwara. All these pieces have been collected and curated carefully with precision by the art experts of the museum from over the last 44 years to bring the best of Udaipur’s rich culture to the visitors.
Performance Show in Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal:
After admiring at the artifacts, you can next see the Govind Puppet Performance Centre and enjoy a great puppet show. Puppetry is one of Rajasthan’s premier art forms. The Rajasthani style of puppetry has been around for centuries. There you can watch the puppet play, called the ‘Singhasan Battisi’, which is a story about the gallantries of Emperor Vikram Aditya and his 32 tales of the thrones. It is created in the puppet style.
You can also watch the amazing performance of the folk dance staged at the studio theatre of the institute. Their performances are not only limited to Rajasthani folk dances but also involves Maharashtrian and Gujarati styles as well, like Dandiya, Garba, and Lawani.
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Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal Museum Visiting Timings:
Open all day (Monday - Sunday): 9 a.m - 5.30 p.m (museum ticket timing)
Great Puppet Show Time: 12 pm to 1 pm
Folk Dance Show Time: 6 pm to 7 pm
Bhartiya Lok Kala Mandal Museum Entry Fee:
Museum Entry Fees: INR 20 rs for Indians & INR 35 rs for foreigners.
Camera Fee: INR 10 rs.
Video Camera Fee: INR 50 rs.