At the Rashtrapati Nilayam here on Friday, President Droupadi Murmu opened the second edition of “Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav,” expressing optimism that the occasion will advance awareness of western India’s cultural legacy. According to her, attendees of the inaugural “Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav” last year were able to learn about the rich cultural legacy of Northeastern states.
The handicrafts, music, dance, literature, and cuisine of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Goa, Daman and Diu, Dadra, and Nagar Haveli would be on display for people who attend the nine-day event at the Rashtrapati Nilayam, she said. After speaking with the artists, the President stated that their creations are a great illustration of the skill that has been passed down through the years.
“I am sure that tourists will notice how rich India’s art and traditions are when they visit the pavilions and observe the cultural presentation of many states. Its civilisation and customs would be better understood by the citizens, particularly the younger generation. For this, the Indian government is adopting a number of actions,” she stated.
She stated that the President’s Residences at Shimla, Hyderabad, and Dehradun, as well as Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, are accessible to the general public. The President stated that extra efforts have been made to make sure that as many people as possible visit these locations and learn about India’s rich cultural legacy and history.
“I consider Rashtrapati Bhavan to be the Bhavan of the people. It is the Bhavan of the country. Continuous attempts are being undertaken, she said, to connect the Rashtrapati Bhavan with the general public. The second “Vividhta ka Amrit Mahotsav” was held in Rashtrapati Bhavan in March of this year, with an emphasis on southern states, she noted.
According to her, such gatherings would make it possible for citizens who live in different regions of the nation to comprehend one another. According to her, the activities would also inspire people to preserve cultural heritage and increase respect for it.
Attendees included Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, Telangana Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, and his equivalents from Goa and Rajasthan, P Ashok Gajapati Raju and Haribhau Bagde. The Western Indian states are the focus of this year’s “Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav,” which brings together traditional dance, art, craft, and handloom forms on a single platform, according to officials.
Over 250 artists, including Padma Shri recipients, will perform a variety of classical and traditional dances at the festival, they said. Additionally, according to the officials, the event will have special state pavilions that will display and sell regional goods, handlooms, and traditional handicrafts. Gujarat’s Kutch Bandhani, Rajasthan’s Kota Doria sarees and Pattu cotton weaves, Maharashtra’s Kolhapuri chappals and Paithani sarees, and Goa’s Kumbi sarees are among the highlights.
A vibrant cultural segment titled ‘Pashchimalap’ will bring audiences folk dances and music traditions such as Dhol-Tasha and Lezim from Maharashtra, Kalbelia and Laal Angi Gair from Rajasthan, Talvaar Raas Garba from Gujarat, Samai and Ghumat Vadan from Goa, and Bhovaada from Dadra and Nagar Haveli, the officials had said. When the President arrived in the city on Friday afternoon from nearby Andhra Pradesh, she was greeted by the Telangana Governor, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy, Union Minister Kishan Reddy, and others.
