Also known as the ‘City of Flutes’, Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh can boast of some of the world’s finest wooden flutes, beautifully handcrafted by artisans who pour their heart and soul into every piece. However, for some time now, the place had started losing its hold on the flute market as the traditional flute makers were leaving the trade because of high production costs and lower profits. Adding to the expenses was the bamboo, that was brought from Silchar, Assam, to make the flutes.
To revive the age-old tradition of flute making and to arouse people’s interest in flutes once again, the District Magistrate of Pilibhit, Mr. Pulkit Khare, has organized a three-day flute festival under the ‘One District One Product’ scheme of the Uttar Pradesh government.
In an exclusive conversation with Indian Masterminds, the officer shared more details about the festival.
BASURI MAHOTSAV OBJECTIVES
While inaugurating the three-day ‘Basuri Mahotsav’, District Magistrate Pulkit Khare said that the main objectives of the Basuri festival are to promote the oldest culture of the district – Basuri playing and to promote the identity of the district – River Ganga and Gomti.
DIFFERENT STATES PUT UP STALLS
From Bengal to Punjab, different states have put up stalls in the festival, showcasing their traditions and cultures through a variety of products.
The guest district, too, has joined the fray by depicting and demonstrating the techniques of making the famous cotton carpets of Pilibhit.
“We have food stalls, cultural stalls, informative stalls, and many more at our three-day festival. Several artists have been invited to the festival who will add feathers to the already beautiful cap with their performances. I request everyone to come to the festival with their friends and families and enjoy the cultural stalls and events wholeheartedly,” Mr. Khare said.
REVIVING AN AGE-OLD CULTURE
The main attraction of the festival is the construction of a 15-foot playable flute that is manufactured by local artisans. The flute will be registered for a World Record as previously the record for the world’s largest playable flute was of an 11-feet large flute. The record is expected to attract a larger number of people towards the art of flute making once again.
“Pilibhit was always known as Basuri Nagri. However, in recent years, this culture was getting lost somewhere and was losing its charm. Under the ‘One District One Product’ Scheme of the Uttar Pradesh government, we decided to give the flute its original identity back. Our flute artisans and manufacturers are also being taken care of. We are benefitting them in whatever way we can, through government schemes, and are taking care of their necessities,” Mr. Khare told Indian Masterminds.
ATTRACTION POINTS
An art stall filled with beautiful artwork and paintings by inmates of the district prison is attracting people. The stall also exhibits bags, coats, and saree covers manufactured by the prisoners. Colorful masks made by them got sold out quickly.
Some self-help groups of Pilibhit have organized a special ‘sanitary stall’ for women where they have exhibited locally made sanitary napkins. Stalls selling fresh honey extracted directly from beehives were also getting a lot of footfalls.
“Our district is full of natural wealth. Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, surrounded by Sharda and Ghaghra river, is the center of attraction for tourists, and Chuka spot, situated in the middle of the forest, is famous for tourism due to its beauty and panoramic view of the sunset. Stalls depicting the beauty of these scenic places spread information and knowledge about our local beauty,” Mr. Khare said.
The administration hopes that the three-day flute festival will help in reviving the traditional art of flute making and attracting tourists’ interest towards Pilibhit.
