Lucknow: The 19th Sharngadev Mahotsav, jointly organised by Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Lucknow and Mahagami Gurukul Kala evam Shodh Sansthan, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Maharashtra), commenced with the inaugural programme held under the Chair established in the memory of Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj. The opening ceremony was marked by dignity and academic depth, celebrating India’s rich classical music and dance heritage.
The inaugural session, titled “Sharngadev Prasang”, began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandavi Singh, Padma Shri Darshana Jhaveri, former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Poornima Pandey, Director of Mahagami Gurukul Parvati Dutta, Head of the Vocal Music Department Prof. Srishti Mathur, Head of the Percussion Department Dr. Manoj Mishra, Head of the Dance Department and Programme Convenor Gyanendra Datt Bajpai, along with Dr. Ruchi Khare and Renu Sharma.
The three-day festival is structured into four segments. The first session, Sharngadev Prasang (10 am to 1 pm), featured seminars and applied lectures. The second session, Sharngadev Pravah (3 pm to 5 pm), included research paper presentations by scholars. The third session, Sharngadev Samaroh (6 pm to 9 pm), is dedicated to dance and music performances, while the concluding segment, Sharngadev Spandan, will be organised as a workshop.
In the inaugural lecture, Prof. Mandavi Singh delivered a presentation titled “Heritage Spaces of Kathak in Lucknow”, highlighting the city’s historic sites linked to Kathak tradition. She elaborated on the cultural significance of Parikhana and the Kalika–Bindadin Maharaj ki Deodhi, and expressed gratitude to the Uttar Pradesh Government for the restoration of Parikhana.
Following this, Parvati Dutta, Director of Mahagami Gurukul Kala evam Shodh Sansthan, presented an applied lecture on “Concepts of Sangeet Ratnakar in Kathak and Odissi”, explaining the classical and aesthetic dimensions of both dance forms through the theoretical framework laid down by Acharya Sharngadev.
During the second session, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was exchanged between Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Lucknow and Mahagami Gurukul Centre for Performing Arts, MGM University, Maharashtra. The MoU was formally exchanged by Registrar Dr. Srishti Dhawan and Parvati Dutta in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor and faculty members, with the objective of strengthening academic and cultural collaboration. The session also featured presentations of nearly 25 research papers by scholars. Renowned academic Dr. Chetna Jyotishi Vyohar joined virtually as an expert and offered insightful feedback on the research work.
The third session, Sharngadev Samaroh, witnessed a grand dance and music festival at the university’s Kala Mandapam Auditorium. The evening featured an Odissi dance performance by the Mahagami ensemble (Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar), followed by a Dhrupad recital by Ustad Wasifuddin Dagar (Delhi), accompanied on pakhawaj by Pt. Mohan Shyam Sharma.
The festival aims to familiarise students and research scholars with the depth of Indian classical music and Kathak dance traditions, enhance their understanding of musical techniques, and create awareness of the artistic legacy and cultural contributions of legendary maestros.
Under the Pt. Birju Maharaj Memorial Chair, the university will organise lectures, seminars, workshops, performances, and research-oriented programmes throughout the year, focusing on India’s music, dance, and cultural traditions.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandavi Singh stated that the university remains committed to organising academic and cultural initiatives that connect students, researchers, and society while preserving and promoting India’s artistic heritage. Registrar Dr. Srishti Dhawan added that such programmes reinforce the university’s dedication to social responsibility, cultural outreach, and community engagement.
