Page 57 - Mann Ki Baat English JULY 2022
P. 57
Madhavpur Mela: Uniting People
Through Celebrations
Madhavpur Ghed in depicts the story of the immortal
Porbandar district of Gujarat is journey which Rukmani undertook
a small but culturally significant from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat
village. It is the place where, with Lord Krishna. Songs related to
according to folklore, Lord Krishna Rukmani in the Khullong Ishei and
married the daughter of King genre, dance-dramas based on
Bhishmaka, Rukmani. Each year Rukmani-Krishna legends and
on Ram Navami, a five-day long folk dances of Idu Mishmi tribe
Madhavpur Fair commences at can also be experienced during
th
the 15 century Madhavrai temple the fair. Programs of Dayro (a
to celebrate the marriage of Lord form of Gujarati folk songs) are
Krishna and Rukmani. A colourful also conducted each evening.
chariot carrying the idol of Lord Vivid art, culture and cuisines are
Krishna circumnavigates the also exchanged between the two
village. cultures. Truly, Madhavpur Fair
The Madhavpur Mela also is an ideal example of ‘Ek Bharat
celebrates India’s unique cultural Shreshtha Bharat’.
diversity and vibrancy by bringing During his interaction
together the cultures of the West with Doordarshan the District
and North-East India. The fair Development Officer of Porbandar,
shares its connection Shri Vinod Advani
to the Mishmi tribe of stated-
Arunachal Pradesh. “In 2022, the fair
The mentioned tribe was inaugurated by
traces its ancestry the former President
to the legendary of India, Shri Ramnath
King Bhishmak and Kovind. The scale
through him to his at which the fair is
daughter Rukmani organized became
and Lord Krishna. possible in the
The Madhavpur year 2018 when the
Mela witnesses state and central
magnificent folk Government got
culture performances involved in it. Today,
from the North-East, the fair is attended
especially Arunachal by the chief ministers
Pradesh and Manipur. of the North-Eastern
Troupes perform states, the union
Rukmani-haran, a ministers and officers
popular folk theatre from across the
of North-East which nation.”
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