Pt Birju Maharaj celebrates Lohri with Banarasis

The mood was upbeat at the Lohri celebrations organised by a city club. The entire venue was decked with kites, that further upped the festivities in the air. Giving a rustic feel to the décor were charpayis that turned perfect props for some of the guests for selfies.

Performance by a bhangra troupe was the highlight (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)

Gradually everyone gathered for the bonfire that was lit by eminent

kathak

exponent Pt Birju Maharaj, who happened to be in town. The eminent artist, said, 'It is always a pleasure to be in Banaras.'

(L) Rajkumar and Yogita (R) Saswati Sen (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)

As the flames went up so did the music. A bhangra group from Delhi belted out some peppy Punjabi numbers. Songs like 'Gud Nal Ishq Mitha,'' Ishq Tera Tadpawe,' etc. were played.

(L) Shweta and Raj (R) Atul Seth and Shailly (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)

(L) Tanu (R) Abha Singh (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)

(L-R) Ankit Soni, Garima Soni, Shilpa and Rupesh Soni (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)

(L) Deepak and Bharti Madhok (R) Ginny (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)

(L) Irhween and Dr Gagan (R) Neelam Rao (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)

(L) Liza and Vivek Kapoor (R) Naveen Singh (BCCL/ Arvind Kumar)