Lucknow: The 19th Sharngdev Mahotsav, jointly organized by Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya, Lucknow and Mahagami Gurukul Kala Evam Shodh Sansthan, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar (Maharashtra), concluded at Kalka-Bindadin Ki Dyodhi, Kathak Museum, Kesarbagh, Lucknow.
The closing ceremony featured a rendition of the recorded Aarti Madhavi Joshi, composed by Pandit Bindadin Maharaj and sung by Pandit Mohan Rao Kalyanpurkar, marking a graceful end to the festival. During the event, Guru Parvati Dutta guided students through meditative exercises, followed by a formal Kathak dance training on Dhrupad by Bansidhar Pinak Dhar. Musical accompaniment was provided by Arif Mohammad on harmonium and Rajeev Ranjan on pakhawaj, offering a skillful and harmonious ensemble.
The third and final day of the festival featured workshops at Kalka-Bindadin Ji’s Dyodhi in Kesarbagh. The sessions were attended by Prof. Mandavi Singh, Vice-Chancellor of Bhatkhande University; Padma Shri Darshana Jhaveri; former VC Prof. Purnima Pandey; Mahagami Director Parvati Dutta; Dr. Manoj Kumar Mishra, Head of Department; Gyanendra Datt Bajpai, University Professor; and Assistant Professor Dr. Ruchi Khare, among others.
The workshop witnessed presentations by scholars and students from the university and other institutions, focusing on the classical, technical, and aesthetic aspects of music and dance. On this occasion, Parvati Dutta, along with professors Gyanendra Datt Bajpai and Dr. Ruchi Khare, and several research scholars, paid tribute to Kathak gurus with floral offerings. The event aimed to introduce students and researchers to the rich tradition of Indian classical music and Kathak dance, including technical nuances, artistic discipline, life values, and cultural contributions of legendary artists.
Under the Padma Vibhushan Pt. Birju Maharaj Chair, the university plans to organize lectures, symposiums, workshops, performances, and research-oriented programs throughout the year, aiming to provide new direction to music education, research, and social engagement.
Speaking at the closing, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandavi Singh highlighted the importance of integrating practice, tradition, scholarship, and research in university education and hailed the festival, conducted jointly by Mahagami and the university, as a highly successful initiative.
