Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal Udaipur is a museum based in Udaipur in the state of Rajasthan engaged in studying the folk art, culture, songs and festivals of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Its primary goal is to popularise and spread these states’ folk literature, folk dances, and folk arts. It was founded in 1952 by the Late Devi Lal Samar, a Padma Shri awardee. The organisation features a museum with a collection of Rajasthani folk artefacts, including paintings, decorations, puppets, masks, dolls, traditional clothing, and folk deities. Additionally, there is a puppet theatre where puppet performances are often conducted.
The Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal – A Rich Colourful Heritage
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A unique and carefully chosen collection of traditional artefacts, jewellery, ornaments, costumes, folk musical instruments, masks, miniature paintings, icons of local deities, a history of Mewari turbans, antiques and crafts that have been collected over 65 years are all available on display to tourists at the Bhartiya Lok Kala Museum. A unique collection of puppets from India and other countries, including France, Germany, Russia, America, Mexico, Indonesia, and Romania, is on display at the museum. Among them are water puppets from Vietnam. A wealth of information on folk and tribal culture may be found in the tribal dance styles on display at the museum, including Terah Taal, Taal, Bhawai, the Gavari folk dance of the Bhil tribes, Ram Leela, and Ras Leela.
Another key attraction of this museum is the Govind puppet theatre. Inaugurated in 1985 by the then Honourable President of India, Giani Zail Singhji, this theatre is located adjacent to the museum. It is the outcome of extensive research conducted over the years to bring puppetry art to the forefront. The theatre hosts daily folk dance and puppetry performances for guests in a distinctive, vivid, and meaningful way. Traditional performers skilled in folk dance and puppetry lead the presentations and successfully capture the audience’s attention through riveting and colourful performances. The centre presents a number of puppetry-based plays, such as Ram Leela, Rass Leela, and Sinhasan Battisi, which are presented in a contemporary Rajasthani manner.
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Facts About Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal
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To educate kids, educators, and other lovers about this distinctive art form, Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal provides monthly puppetry training. Regular folk dancing instruction is also offered at the facility. To preserve these artistic traditions, Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal also teaches young people, especially women, how to perform and sing folk and tribal dances. Through these initiatives, the institute can preserve puppetry as an art form for future generations. The centre also conducts research, documentation, and publication facilities to popularize traditional folk art and culture in collaboration with scholars, students, artists, local communities, academicians, and other like-minded people.
The centre’s archive section is a direct outcome of the extensive cultural survey, research, and documentation conducted by Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal across the country over the years. Not only does it assist in research work, but it also adds value to cultural preservation. In the past, researchers from different parts of the world, such as Japan, the USA, South Korea, and European countries, have visited Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal for their work.
Places To Visit In And Around The Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal
Whether you want to see the mesmerising beauty of the City Palace or the views of Jagmandir Palace, check out these fantastic places to visit in and around the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal Udaipur.
1. The City Palace
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City Palace, Udaipur, is a palace complex situated in the city of Udaipur. It was constructed over 400 years, with assistance from a number of Mewar dynasty emperors. When Maharana Udai Singh II of the Sisodia Rajput dynasty moved their headquarters from the former Chittor to the newly founded city of Udaipur in 1553, work on the structure began. The palace complex includes many palaces within its walls and is situated on the east shore of Lake Pichola. The City Palace in Udaipur was built in a flamboyant style and is considered the largest in Rajasthan. It was built atop a hill, in a fusion of the Rajasthani Rajput architecture providing a panoramic view of the city and its surroundings.
Address: Old City, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: 9 am to 9 pm
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2. Jagdish Temple
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Located directly outside the royal palace in the heart of Udaipur, is the sizable Hindu temple known as Jagdish Temple. Since 1651, there has been constant adoration of it. Originally known as the temple of Jagannath Rai, Jagdish-ji is now a popular tourist destination. Completed in 1651, the Jagdish Temple is perched on a lofty terrace. It connects a two-story Mandapa hall to a two-story sanctum that has a covered walkway. Another level is hidden beneath the mandapa’s pyramidal bell roof, and there are two additional non-functional floors in the hollow clustered spire above the sanctuary. The main temple is reached after ascending 32 marble stairs, blocked at the top by a brass statue of Garuda, the god Vishnu’s mount known as Vahana.
Address: Old City, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings:4:15 am to 1:00 pm And 5:15 pm to 8:00 pm
3. Sahelion Ki Bari
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Sahelion Ki Bari (Courtyard of Maiden) is a major and popular garden and sightseeing spot in the Udaipur district of Rajasthan. It was built by Maharana Sangram Singh. There is also a museum complex present on the premises. The story goes that the princess of Udaipur received a group of 48 young women known as Sahelion ki bari as a dowry. This garden was created for them as a result. The park has exquisite lotus ponds, flowers, distinctive elephant-shaped fountains, and marble pavilions. Between 1710 and 1734 AD, Maharana Sanga Singh constructed this garden for the royal women, which is located close to Fatehsagar Lake. However, evidence suggests that Maharana Sanga created this garden and gave it to his queen.
Address: Panchwati, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: 9 am to 7 pm
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4. Jag Mandir Palace
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A palace called Jag Mandir is situated on an island in Lake Pichola also known as the “Lake Garden Palace”. Three Maharanas of the Sisodia Rajputs of the Mewar dynasty are credited for building it. Maharana Amar Singh began building the palace in 1551. Maharana Karan Singh carried on the construction, and Maharana Jagat Singh I finished it. Jagat Mandir is the name given to it in remembrance of the late Maharana Jagat Singh. The palace was utilised by the royal family as a summer retreat and a venue for entertaining. There was a time when asylum seekers sought sanctuary at the palace.
Address: Pichola, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Timings: 10 am to 6 pm
Further Read: Heritage Sites In Rajasthan
Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal Udaipur is a vibrant testament to the rich tapestry of India’s folk art and culture. This esteemed institution has played an instrumental role in preserving and promoting traditional arts, crafts, dances, and music that form the essence of rural Indian heritage. So do visit this beautiful museum while planning your trip to Udaipur.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal Udaipur
What is the Bharatiya Lok Kala mandal?
The Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is a museum complex dedicated to the folk arts and traditions of the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.
Where is the Bharatiya Lok Kala mandal located?
The Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is located around 3 km from the Udaipur city centre, which can be traversed by cab which will take 10 minutes or by walk which will take 30 minutes.
How far is the Bharatiya Lok Kala mandala from Bangalore?
The Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal is located 1660 Km away from Bangalore, which is a 30-hour drive, so it is advised to make this trip by train or flight.
Who founded the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal?
It was founded In the year 1952 by the Late Devi Lal Samar who was a Padma Shri awardee.
Who inaugurated the Bharatiya Lok Kala Mandal?
The museum was inaugurated by the former president of our country, Giani Zail Singhji in the year 1985.
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