“Indian culture has always been a culture of harmony and has co-existed with nature. Its relevance has increased further during the Covid-19 era. Keeping this in mind, this cultural festival based on the relationship between nature and culture has been organised.” The above statements were made by Principal Secretary, Culture and Tourism and Trustee Secretary of Bharat Bhavan, Sheo Shekhar Shukla while addressing culture and music lovers at the inaugural ceremony of ‘Sanskriti aur Prakriti Samaroh’ function, which began at Bharat Bhawan on Thursday. Shukla and renowned classical singer Kaushiki Chakraborty inaugurated the eight-day festival by lighting lamps. Shukla also felicitated art lovers at the function. On the first day of the function, the convenor of the programme Praveen Sheolikar and colleagues staged the soulful Violin Saptak performances. Following this, classical singer Kaushiki Chakraborty enthralled the music lovers with her melodious singing performance.

 

She synchronised her mellifluous voice on the tunes of Harmonium, Veena and Tabla and presented the Khayal and Thumri singing. The first day of the programme also witnessed the inauguration of traditional painting camps and the exhibition of tribal paintings. 28 paintings outlined by 24 artists like Bhuri Bai, Jangarh Singh Shyam, Narmada Prasad Tekam, Indubai Maravi, Anil Baria and Shanta Bhuria have been put up at the exhibition. The exhibition will remain functional for visitors from 1 pm to 6 pm till November 21 except Monday, which is a weekly holiday. Art and music lovers including Director, Culture, Aditi Kumar Tripathi and Administrative Officer Prem Shankar Shukla were present on this occasion. On Friday, Bihu folk dances will be staged with Gaurav Hazarika as the convenor. This will be followed by Odissi group dances, which will be presented by Sujata Mohapatra and companions. Many cultural performances will be staged on daily basis under the programme, until November 18 which will include Bihu folk dance and Odissi dances on November 12, Kathak and Bharatnatyam group dances and Bihu folk dances on November 13, a dialogue session on ‘Hamari rachnasheelta mein Prakriti aur Sanskriti’, poem recitals and story narrations on November 14.

 

A dialogue session on ‘Hamari Sanskriti ka Aaranyak Adhyaay’ followed by Malwi Ritu geet and Nimadi Ritu Geet performances will be held on November 15, dialogue session on ‘Navann aur Hamari kalayein’, followed by Dhrupad gayan on November 16, Bundeli Ritu Geet, Bagheli Ritu Geet and Rudraveena performances on November 17 and Rangsangeet programme by Vihaan group followed by Renowned Singer Malini Awasthi’s soulful singing performance on November 18. Entry to the programme will be free for visitors and entry is prohibited for children below 8 years of age. Strict adherence to COVID-19 protocol will be ensured in the programme.