Lack of Cultural Emphasis at the Monsoon Festival in Saputara Disappoints Tourists

Saputara  (Gujarat): Despite its picturesque beauty and serene surroundings, the Gujarat Tourism’s attempt to attract tourists to Saputara’s monsoon festival (Megh Malhar Parv 2023) has fallen short of expectations. The month-long festival, which aimed to showcase the charm of Gujarat’s only hill station, failed to resonate with visitors due to a lack of emphasis on tribal culture and local traditions.

While Saputara experienced a surge in tourism during the recent mini vacation following Independence Day and Navroj festival holidays, the large dome erected by the Gujarat Tourism department for the monsoon festival struggled to draw crowds. The festival program focused primarily on Western dance and DJ music, sidelining the rich tribal culture and folk dance performances by Dangi artists.

Despite significant financial investment by the Gujarat Tourism department in the name of the monsoon festival, the dome constructed in Saputara remained largely empty. Both local residents of Dang and tourists expressed their disappointment with the festival’s lack of representation of the region’s authentic cultural heritage.

Critics have noted that the festival’s organizers missed an opportunity to celebrate the unique tribal identity of Dang and showcase the vibrant local culture. Rather than showcasing traditional Dangi folk dances and tribal traditions, the festival leaned more toward Western entertainment forms, leading to a disconnect with the authentic essence of the region.

Surprisingly, tourists who visited Saputara during the festival showed a greater interest in exploring natural attractions, such as the Table Top point, to witness the mesmerizing views of the hills and clouds, rather than engaging with the dome’s Western dance and DJ music offerings.

Saputara stands as Gujarat’s sole hill station and is a renowned tourist destination. Visitors from across Gujarat and neighboring states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan typically flock to Saputara to immerse themselves in its natural beauty and scenic landscapes.

“The lackluster response to the monsoon festival serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and promoting local cultural heritage to create a more immersive and authentic tourism experience for visitors” said Tushar Kamadi, tribal activist in Dang. “We respect artists from other states, but when tourists visit Saputara they should come across the rich tribal heritage of Dang. The organisers have failed in their endeavour and they are more inclined towards making money out of the event”