Lucknow: The first day of the two-day concluding showcase of the Summer Monthly Workshop at Bhatkhande Sanskriti University witnessed a vibrant display of artistic excellence, discipline, and creativity, with participants captivating audiences through a series of impressive performances. The event also highlighted the transformative power of the arts, as special performances by autistic children emerged as one of the most moving moments of the evening.
The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandavi Singh and chief guest Prof. Purnima Pandey, former Vice-Chancellor of the university.
Participants demonstrated the skills and artistic proficiency they had acquired during the month-long workshop through performances spanning classical music, light music, dance, and instrumental recitals. Under the guidance of instructors Abhishek Kumar Tripathi (Classical Vocal), Naman Singh (Light Music), Mohit Kapoor (Folk Dance), Tushar Sahay (Tabla), Bhanu Banerjee (Violin), Gaurav Singh (Western Guitar), Ashu Kanti Sinha (Flute), Krishna Kumar Maurya (Harmonium), Shivam Pandey (Keyboard), Rini Bhardwaj and Jayashika Singh (Kathak), and Vaishnavi Mishra (Bharatanatyam), students delivered polished and engaging performances that reflected months of dedication and practice.
Among the highlights of the evening were the performances by autistic participants, which deeply moved the audience. Siddhi Sharma presented a Pahadi folk dance adaptation, while Misha Singh impressed with a Kathak recital and Rhythm Sarkar delivered a graceful Bharatanatyam performance. Their confidence, stage presence, and artistic expression received enthusiastic applause from the audience.
Parents of the three autistic children expressed heartfelt gratitude to the university, noting significant positive changes in their children through music and dance training. They observed that children who often hesitated to participate in social activities confidently performed before a large audience, describing the achievement as one of the workshop’s most meaningful successes.
Addressing the gathering, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandavi Singh congratulated all participants and said that summer workshops serve not only as platforms for skill development but also as powerful avenues for creative expression and self-confidence. She reaffirmed the university’s commitment to preserving and promoting India’s rich musical and artistic heritage while creating opportunities for young talent to flourish.
Registrar S. P. Singh emphasized that such workshops help cultivate discipline, dedication, and teamwork among students. He particularly appreciated the inclusion of specialized dance training for autistic children, calling it a reflection of the university’s inclusive and compassionate educational approach. He also praised the participants for their outstanding performances and wished them success in their future artistic pursuits.
The event was attended by Manoj Kumar Mishra, Head of the Vocal Music Department, Gyanendra Datt Bajpai, Head of the Dance Department, Manjula Pant, Assistant Professor of Kathak, along with faculty members, researchers, staff, and a large number of students.
With a successful and emotionally resonant opening day, the university now looks forward to the second day of the grand finale, where more performances showcasing the talents nurtured during the workshop are scheduled to take center stage.
