Prarthana Pawar
Janapada pada Lokha Ramanagara is a cultural center located in Ramanagara, Ramanagara district of Karnataka, India, on Bangalore - Mysore highway, 53 kilometers to the south of
Bangalore which preserves and promotes the traditional folk art and cultural heritage of the state. The center is a unique hub of various art forms, ranging from music and dance to handicrafts and traditional lifestyles, giving visitors a comprehensive experience of Karnataka's rich cultural heritage.
Janapada Loka Ramanagara founded on 12th March 1994 by H.L Nage Gowda is one of the many cultural centers operated by the Karnataka Janapada Parishat, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Karnataka's folk culture.
Janapada Loka is divided into separate wings - Folk arts museum, Loka Mahal, Chitra Kuteera, Doddamane, Shilamala, Arghyamala. It also has a collection of 5,000 folk artifacts. The
the center is spread over an area of 15 acres and is situated in the wide range of lush greenery and landscapes, providing a breathtaking environment for visitors to enjoy the cultural performances and activities.
One of the main attractions of Janapada Loka is its collection of traditional musical instruments and artifacts, which includes various types of drums, stringed instruments, and wind instruments used in folk music. Visitors can witness live performances of folk music and dance, which are accompanied by these traditional instruments played by expert musicians who have inherited these art forms from their ancestors. Abhinav, a visitor from Dharwad, says, “The environment here is amazing. We can get to see and learn about our ancestors and how they used to live back in those days.’’
At the center, visitors can witness various traditional dance forms, such as Dollu Kunitha, Veeragaase, Kamsale and Karaga all of which are performed by professional artists who have mastered these art forms through years of training and practice. The center also offers workshops and training programs for visitors who want to learn these art forms.
In addition to dance, the center also has a rich collection of folk music instruments such as the maddale, chande, and tavil, which are used in various traditional music forms such as Bhavageete and Vachana Sahitya. Visitors can learn about the history and significance of these instruments and even get a chance to play them under the guidance of trained musicians.
Nishchala, a visitor from Nelamangala, said, “The very first thing is that you have to buy tickets. To be frank, the museum inside is not good enough.’’
The center also offers workshops and training programs for visitors who want to learn these art forms and musical instruments. These programs provide a unique opportunity for visitors to learn the nuances of Karnataka's traditional music and dance forms, under the guidance of trained artists and musicians.
Apart from music and dance, the center also has a collection of handicrafts, including pottery, woodwork, and leatherwork, which are made by skilled artisans from different parts of Karnataka. Visitors can watch these artisans at work and learn about the techniques used in these crafts.
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