Creating awareness about traditional cultural art forms

Jashn-e-Adab (Sahityotsav), a society for poetry and literature which promotes and preserves the literary heritage of Hindi and Urdu language, founded by Kunwar Ranjeet Chauhan, recently organized a festival Kaarva’n-Virasat 2023 in Lucknow. The two-day festival, which was organised in association with the Ministry of Culture (Government of India), and is a part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav events, had several panel discussions, kavi samelan, dance, singing performances and more.

A panel discussion titled ‘Samvad Lekhan: Manoranjan Ya Dayitva’ featured Indian film writer and actor Atul Tiwari, writer Divya Prakash Dubey and IPS officer and a poet Quaiser Khalid had the trio discussing how writing has evolved with films like Bala and Badhaai Ho. They also discussed how OTT platforms have impacted the writings.

Moving ahead, a panel discussion on ‘Awadh Ka Rangkarm’ featuring Surya Mohan Kulshrestha, Atul Tiwari and Panchayat fame actor Faisal Malik, took place where they discussed how UP and Lucknow have played an important role in defining theatre. “The Indian Kings and Nawabs have a huge role to play in nurturing the Indian rangmanch because they took an active part in rangmanch,” shared Atul Tiwari.

Later in the evening, folk singer and Padma Shri Malini Awasthi with her soulful performance mesmerized everyone. She began with classical thumri, and later sang some of her all time saawan hits.
-------- Manas Mishra