Celebrating the art and culture of the state at this event

Celebrating 75 years of independence, Amrit Yuva Kalotsav is on a run of 75 days, doing events across different parts of India, showcasing and celebrating art and culture in its various forms. After making a mark in cities like Chennai, Bhopal and Jammu & Kashmir, the festival made its stop in the City of Nawabs with three consecutive days filled with performances from all around the state of Uttar Pradesh.

Deepshika and group performing at the event

Faruwahi folk performance by Mukesh Kumar and group

The event was inaugurated at Sangeet Natak Academy by Mukesh Kumar Meshram, Principal Secretary, Culture and Tourism Department, UP Govt. and Chairman, UP Sangeet Natak Akademi, Lucknow, Dr Sandhya Purecha, Chairman, Sangeet Natak Akademi, and Taurn Raaj, secretary, Sangeet Natak Akademi.

Mukesh Kumar Meshram and Tarun Raaj

Neeraj Mishra and Kumar Sarang

The classical musical play Rang Raag was staged during the three-day event. The play was a story of a performer who travels to various towns exhibiting his theatre acts. Another act that was loved by all was that of a folk group, Dediya.

A scene from the play Saru

A scene from the play Rang Raag

On the last day of the festival, the evening had drama, musical instrument symphony, folk theatre, Bharatnatyam, and Kathak performances. The play Saru, directed and written by Shiv Narayan Khunder, staged on the final days, dealt with the issue of child abuse and how people of the transgender community are ill-treated in society. The three-day-long festival came to end with the most awaited kathak performance.
-Manas Mishra

(L) A scene from the play Rang Raag (R) Dr Sandhya Purecha