Culture curry at the Wajid Ali Shah Awadh Mahotsav

The three-day

Wajid Ali Shah

Awadh Mahotsav orginsed recently at Sangeet Natak Akademi Gomti Nagar had many artists from the country who showcasing their extra ordinary talent. The event had a gathering of art and cultural enthusiasts from the city who enjoyed enjoyed the traditional Awadhi cuisine and shopped at the handicrafts exhibition apart from the performances. Everyone had a grand welcome with the reverberation of dhols, enchanting shehnai recital, and a beautiful presentation by Farwai dancers. People were also seen taking photos at the selfie point, decorated with folk art.

Jaivir Singh

Altaf Raja

Shiv Poojan Shukla

On the first day, audiences were mesmerized by the Sufi performance of Rising Malang from Dharamshala, Kathak performance by Vishal Krishna and a group, ghazal performance by Sakhawat Hussain, and Kajri recital by Padma Shri Ajeeta Srivastava and group from Mirzapur.
The second day witnessed Awadhi Lokgeet by Kavita Singh and group. The Kabir band with lead singer

Prahlad Singh

left the audience spellbound when he sang, Mat Kar Maya Ko Ahankar, Mat Kar Kaya Ko Abhimaan. The performance of the band was followed by a thrilling presentation by Alha singers from Jaunpur who narrated the battle of Naijagarh in their songs. The event also had a Kathak performance on the beats of tabla and live songs

Rang De Awadh

and Holi Aayi Awadh Mein that drew a thunderous applause.

Kamal Khan

Yogesh and Punam Sharma

Vivek Prakash and Padma Gidwani

Murtaza Qamar, one of the visitors who witnessed a folk event for the first time said, “My father asked me to attend the event so that I get to know more about our culture and tradition. I applauded the performers all through the program.”
The third and the last day of the Mahotsav had a Kathputli show on the freedom struggle, showing the lives of freedom fighters and martyrs. The colors of folk cultures remained lit till late at night. Kamal Khan, ghazal singer of Lucknow and his team members made the whole atmosphere devotional with their melodious hymns.

Saurav and Gaurav

Prof Raj Bisaria and Purnima Pande

Preeti and Anil Kumar

(L)

Malini Awasthi

(R) Mukesh Meshram

Padmashri Soma Ghosh, enthralled the audience with thumri and dadra. Renowned singer, Altaf Raja too had everyone sing with him to his super hits songs and qawwali like Tum To Thahre Pardesi, Tumse Kitna Pyaar, Awara Hawa ka Jhajha hoon, Dil Ka Hal Sune Dilwala, among others. — Vivek Kumar

(L) Gauri Diwakar (R) Carly and Adam