"मैं नौ महीने माँ के गर्भ और पांच घंटे धरती माँ की गोद में रहकर जन्मी हूँ, इसलिए मैं अपनी माँ के साथ धरती माँ की भी बेटी हूँ। मेरे माता-पिता इस प्रथा के विरोधी थे। इसके बावजूद जिन्होंने प्रसव कराया, उन्हीं महिलाओं ने धरती में गाड़ दिया था। मेरी माँ ने मुझे बचाया।" यह बात लोकनृत्य कालबेलिया की नृत्यांगना पद्मश्री गुलाबो सपेरा ने अपने संघर्ष की कहानी सुनाते हुए कही। वे लिटरेचर फेस्टिवल के छठे सत्र 'एक करिश्माई कालबेलिया' में संबोधित कर रही थीं। #IndoreLitFest #GulaboSapera #HelloHindustan #Indore #Rajasthan #PadmaShri #LitFest #Poetry #Stories #Literature #Inspiration #Kalbeliya #IncredibleIndia #MinistryOfTourism
Legendry folk artist, Gulabo Sapera not only got the flamboyant dance style "Kalbeliya", conceptualized and choreographed by herself, identified across the globe but got her community, a nomadic one, a never imagined recognition. Battling all the odds that life thrust upon her she proceeded with courage and perseverance for the honour of the nation, her community and her family. For her contribution to Indian folk culture the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri Award in 2016 conferred by the President of India.
The dance form, she introduced, is today one of the major features the state of Rajasthan is identified with on India Kalbeliya Community, today she is treated as an institution, a hallmark of the state with a plethora of national and international awards.
A visiting faculty at institutions in countries like Denmark (Copenhagan). France (Paris). She has visited 153 countries. She wishes to set up a dance school in Pushkar, amidst the people of her own community. She has also taken up the course of educating the girls and boys of her community and working tirelessly for the image makeover of the community through the Gulabi Sapera Sangeet Sansthan, set up by her.