Almora: The first evening of the seven-day Jai Golju Mahotsav 2026 was marked by a vibrant star night and a series of colourful cultural performances. Artists presented traditional folk dances and music, captivating the audience and showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Uttarakhand and other parts of India.
The event was attended by Almora District Magistrate Anshul Singh, Almora MLA Manoj Tiwari, former MLA Raghunath Singh Chauhan, former municipal chairpersons Prakash Joshi and Shobha Joshi, along with several other dignitaries, including Sushil Shah, Kewal Sati, Bhairav Goswami, Guddu Bhoj, Lata Tiwari and Radha Bisht.
The cultural programme highlighted India’s regional diversity through performances of Haryana’s Been Jogi, Kashmir’s Rouf and West Bengal’s Raiwanshi folk dances. The Himalayan Lok Kala Kendra, Almora, presented the traditional Sandhyawali and Chhapeli forms, bringing the distinctive folk traditions of Uttarakhand to the stage.
The star night featured performances by Roshan Banola, Ruchi Arya and Amit Goswami, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm and celebration. A Hediya folk dance performance by Premrarth Kathak Kala Kendra was another attraction of the evening.
The Jai Golju Mahotsav aims to promote folk culture and traditional art forms, provide a platform for local artists, and connect younger generations with their cultural roots. The enthusiastic response to the opening day’s performances has generated excitement for the remaining events of the festival.
The first evening offered a colourful blend of regional traditions, music and dance, setting an upbeat tone for the days ahead.
