‘MHJ Express’ Rolls Into Khasdar Festival, So Does Laughter Riots

Nagpur: There was a laughter riot at Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education ground on Tuesday evening as the ‘MHJ Express', the team of Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra, a popular Marathi laughter comedy show, arrived at the Khasdar Sankrutik Mahotsav-2025. The fifth day of the ongoing cultural extravaganza turned into a comedy carnival as the city's evening air filled with cheer, wit, and endless applause.The vibrant cast — Prajakta Mali, Sai Tamhankar, Prasad Oak, Sameer Chougule, Namrata Sambherao, Prithvik Pratap, Rohit Mane, Vanita Kharat, Rasika Vengurlekar, and Prabhakar More — had the audience laughing uncontrollably with their trademark skits and spontaneous banter.At the very beginning of the event, while addressing the gathering, Union minister Nitin Gadkari paid tributes to those who lost their lives in the Delhi blast on Monday. "The incident that happened in Delhi is very unfortunate. Today, I pay tributes to all those who died in that accident," said Gadkari. He added, "Though this laughter event began on a sombre note, I'm truly heartened by the warmth and enthusiasm of Nagpurians."As soon as Prajakta Mali, dressed in a glittering red chutuk saree, and Sai Tamhankar, stunning in a purple lachha, came on stage, the crowd erupted. Sai, breaking into the Varhadi dialect, instantly struck a chord with Nagpurians. "Nagpur is a piece of my heart. The tarri pohe and savji rassa here — just the mention makes my mouth water!," she said, earning a loud round of cheers. The duo's humorous exchange — spiced with panipuri from Pune and Vidarbha's ‘secret recipe' — drew roaring laughter. "There's nothing secret in Vidarbha, everything is open — just like Nitin Gadkari Saheb!" Sai's punchline sent the audience into peals of laughter.A hilarious skit followed, featuring Prithvik Pratap as an accident patient, Rohit Mane as his overzealous friend, and Vanita Kharat as his sister. Rasika Vengurlekar's comic act, Prabhakar More's Konkan-style humour as a flirtatious guy, and the surprise entry of Dr Prasad Khandekar had the audience in stitches.Further during a special conversation segment in the event, Gadkari said, "Even when I am in Delhi or Mumbai, I never miss watching Maharashtrachi Hasyajatra. Between Delhi and Nagpur, I always choose Nagpur; tarri pohe over vada pav; theatre over cinema; and road travel over flyovers. I like travelling via roads but I like more through tunnels, like the 12-km Kargil tunnel is an experience I deeply enjoy — the journey itself gives me happiness."Adding a dose of social awareness, Namrata Sambherao and Sameer Chougule performed a road safety skit, skilfully mixing humour with a meaningful message.The highlight of the event was the final skit, featuring the MHJ legendary character Mona Darling played by Shivali Parab. The skit showed Mona Darling attending a poetry recital, belittling the poets with her innocent humour and sending the audience sprawling with fits of laughter. The evening began with Ganesh Vandana — Deva Shri Ganesha — followed by soulful songs by Indian Idol fame Chaitanya Devde.Celebrity actor Prasad Oak also presented musical renditions, giving the audience a sneak peek into his various talents. With unending laughter, lively performances, and heart-warming camaraderie, the MHJ Express made the fifth day of Khasdar Sankrutik Mahotsav a night Nagpur will long remember.Blend of spirituality & melody todayThe festivities will continue on Wednesday with a devotional morning session featuring Shri Haripath recitation at 7am, followed by an evening concert by singer and composer Akhil Sachdeva. The day promises to blend spirituality and melody, carrying forward the spirit of cultural harmony that defines the Khasdar Sankrutik Mahotsav.(Box)21 Avartans Of Ganpati Atharvashirsha Resonate In ‘Jagar Bhakticha'Chants of ‘Ganpati Bappa Morya' and ‘Om Ganapataye Namah' filled the air as thousands participated in the 21 Avartans of Ganpati Atharvashirsha under the ‘Jagar Bhakticha' segment of the Khasdar Sankrutik Mahotsav on Tuesday morning. The event, held at Ishwar Deshmukh College of Physical Education, created a spiritually charged atmosphere. Dignitaries including Kanchan Gadkari, Anil Sole, Manisha Sant, Vijayatai Bhusari, and Dilip Shahakar graced the occasion. The programme began with the traditional lamp lighting and featured yoga demonstrations by Sahaj Yoga experts, highlighting yoga's impact on the human subtle system. The gathering witnessed a blend of devotion, discipline, and divine energy celebrating the spirit of faith and cultural unity.

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