Lucknow: In a major step towards promoting India’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage, the Uttar Pradesh government is planning a world-class new campus for Bhatkhande Culture University in Kakarabad, Lucknow. Guided by the vision of Yogi Adityanath, the proposed campus aims to evolve beyond a traditional music university and emerge as a comprehensive center for Indian culture, performing arts, knowledge traditions, and creative innovation.
The blueprint for the ambitious project was discussed in detail during a high-level advisory committee meeting chaired by Amrit Abhijat. The meeting brought together eminent artists, academicians, and cultural experts from across the country to shape a vision for a campus that could serve as one of the world’s leading institutions dedicated to Indian arts and culture for generations to come.
A Comprehensive Cultural University
Experts emphasized that India currently lacks a single institution capable of bringing together classical music, dance, theatre, folk and tribal arts, visual and fine arts, literature, philosophy, yoga, spirituality, Indian knowledge systems, and contemporary arts education under one umbrella. To address this gap, participants proposed developing the new campus as the country’s first truly integrated “Culture University.”
The plan includes world-class facilities for preserving rare manuscripts, documenting oral traditions, creating digital repositories, and establishing museums dedicated to Indian performing arts and cultural heritage.
Modern Infrastructure with Traditional Roots
Several advanced academic and cultural facilities were proposed for the new campus. These include specialized schools dedicated to music, dance, theatre, yoga and spirituality, visual and fine arts, literature and philosophy, filmmaking, and cultural management.
Experts also recommended the development of acoustically designed practice rooms, state-of-the-art dance studios, music and recording studios, an AI Music Lab, a grand auditorium named after Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, black box theatres, classical dance theatres, recital halls, and open-air performance venues.
To support India’s growing creative economy, the campus may also feature cultural startup incubation centers, media and content laboratories, and intellectual property support facilities.
‘Naadadheenam Jagat’ as the Guiding Philosophy
The proposed campus is expected to be designed around the concept of “Naadadheenam Jagat” (The Universe is Governed by Sound), reflecting the central role of music, rhythm, and artistic expression in Indian civilization.
Renowned folk singer and Padma Shri awardee Malini Awasthi stressed the importance of creating a campus rooted in nature and Indian traditions. She advocated extensive green spaces, residential facilities for faculty, integration of Hindustani and Carnatic music traditions, dedicated theatre complexes, exhibition halls, interactive learning environments, and specialized laboratories based on integrated knowledge systems.
International Centre for Cultural Dialogue
Padma Shri awardee Vaman Kendre and other experts recommended incorporating folk, tribal, theatre, performing, visual, and literary arts into a unified curriculum. Suggestions also included establishing a Digital Arts Centre and developing the institution into a center of excellence for all art forms.
Participants proposed inviting renowned artists, scholars, and performers from India and abroad on a regular basis, transforming the university into a global platform for cultural exchange and dialogue.
Vision for a World-Class Institution
Addressing the meeting, Amrit Abhijat said Uttar Pradesh has a unique opportunity to create a globally recognized institution that preserves India’s ancient cultural legacy while responding to the needs of future generations. He stated that the goal is to place Bhatkhande Culture University among the world’s leading performing arts institutions through academic excellence, distinctive architecture, and a deeply immersive cultural environment.
He also revealed plans to organize a national architectural design competition to attract the country’s finest architects and planners for the project. The proposed academic framework is expected to extend beyond traditional performing arts to include digital arts, animation, documentary filmmaking, virtual production, music technology, interdisciplinary research, Buddhist cultural philosophy, cultural diplomacy, and Indian knowledge systems.
A Global Destination for Artists and Scholars
Vice-Chancellor Mandavi Singh said the new campus will become a world-class center for Indian culture, music, and performing arts, combining traditional knowledge with modern technology to provide outstanding opportunities for education, research, and creative expression.
The meeting was attended by several distinguished personalities, including Ajay Chakrabarty, Shovana Narayan, Sonal Mansingh, Siddharth Singh, Shruti Bandopadhyay, Anupam Mahajan, and several other noted scholars and cultural practitioners.
The proposed campus is expected to become a landmark institution that not only safeguards India’s cultural legacy but also positions the country as a global leader in arts education, cultural research, and creative innovation.
