A vibrant, cultural extravaganza

By Express News Service

After two years of staying indoors, there’s a feeling of freedom to lastly be out within the open and work together with individuals. We have been incandescent with glee once we visited the Bharat Bhagya Vidhata Red Fort Festival on Monday night. August 15 Park (Lahori Gate) is the venue for this occasion and hosts makeshift stalls and a large Ferris wheel.

This 10-day extravaganza, which was unveiled on March 25, is a celebration of the wealthy cultural heritage of India. Part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav—an initiative by the federal government of India to commemorate 75 years of Indian Independence—highlights the nation’s numerous crafts, cuisines, and extra.
The Ministry of Culture has conceptualised this occasion together with Dalmia Bharat Limited, the organisation chosen as Red Fort’s ‘Monument Mitra’ by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and Archaeological Survey of India.

As a part of the ‘Adopt a Heritage Project’ by the Government, Dalmia Bharat Limited has been working in the direction of making the long-lasting seventeenth Century heritage website tourist-friendly. The competition is thus a large step taken for the aim of heritage conservation and tourism.

“The very magnitude and importance of the festival holds relevance as it is larger than life, and incorporates a fusion of art, culture, enthusiastic participation from culture lovers, food, and presentation from across our great nation,” shares Puneet Dalmia, managing director of Dalmia Bharat Limited.

Divided into quite a few sections, this competition will supply the guests a healthful expertise of ‘Bharat’. Divided into 5 sections, this competition provides guests a healthful expertise of ‘Bharat’.

The better of every part
Along with meals stalls underneath the ‘Khao Gali’ part that gives Indian cuisines, the competition additionally has a bit titled ‘Khel Gaon’ particularly for kids. In the latter, one will witness ongoing workshops, storytelling periods, video games, and extra, which are prone to preserve kids each knowledgeable and entertained.

‘Satrangi’ is a bit allotted to round 70 craftspersons, with stalls that includes Kashmir’s Sozni embroidery, Rajasthan’s horn and bone craft, Ikat from Telangana, and extra.

Vankar Ramesh Virji, a generational Bhujodi weaver from Bhuj-Kutch, shared, “It is great that artisans can showcase their work here without paying for the stalls.” Seline Fernandez from Dwarka, who was searching by the stalls right here, shared, “It is great for those interested in handicrafts to meet artisans face to face.”

Interactive storytelling

Just because the stalls have been attracting guests concerned with crafts, the competition additionally has exhibitions and performances for tradition fans. One such interactive exhibition is the ‘Bharat Gaurav’ that showcases India’s achievements. Visitors may additionally have an interest within the ‘Yatra’—a 360 diploma immersive expertise narrating the story of India as one of many oldest civilisations.

The experimental undertaking makes an attempt to modernise oral storytelling. Ananya Jain from Rohini, who was on the competition along with her dad and mom on Monday, stated, “‘Yatra’ was one of my favourites; it is a different way to gain information about the country.”

There can also be a cultural parade—it circles the competition floor as soon as a day—choreographed by classical dancer Maitreyee Pahari. It highlights India’s people dance types comparable to Singhi Chham from Sikkim, Ao Naga dance from Nagaland, Kalbelia from Rajasthan, amongst others.

Every night, the Rang Manch stage is enlivened by dwell performances that includes a number of artists. Notable musicians comparable to playback singer Shaan, modern people musician Raghu Dixit, and others have already carried out right here.

Speaking in regards to the competition being on the Red Fort, Jain concluded, “Nothing can be more significant to have a festival highlighting India at a monument that has such historical importance to our nation.”

CHECK IT OUT

WHAT: Bharat Bhagya Vidhata Red Fort Festival
WHEN: Till April 3; 11:00am to 10:00pm
WHERE: August 15 Park, Red Fort

MUST-WATCH HIGHLIGHTS

WHAT: Cultural Parade by Maitreyee Pahari
WHEN: Every day; 4:00pm

WHAT: Bharat Gaurav and Yatra exhibitions
WHEN: Every day; 4:00pm onwards

WHAT: Anokhe Vastra: Puppet Theatre by Dadi Pudumjee
WHEN: Today; 8:00pm

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WHEN: April 1; 9:00pm