Mandla – Raza Smriti 2025, a five-day commemoration titled Samvay, was more than an event—it was a labour of love. Conceived to pay homage to the creative genius of Padma Vibhushan Syed Haider Raza, it brought poets, dancers, painters, sculptors, and art enthusiasts together in the picturesque town of Mandla, far from Delhi’s bustling art circuit. Orchestrated by noted poet and art curator Ashok Vajpeyi, the celebration was a living example of how affection and reverence can keep an artist’s legacy vibrant.
Inaugurated on July 19 at the Raza Kala Veethika, the programme opened with exhibitions of painting, terracotta art, and umbrella painting, drawing enthusiastic participation from local residents who cherish their native son. On July 21, the Jhankar Auditorium hosted a day-long poetry marathon featuring luminaries like Arun Kamal, Sangeeta Gundecha, Teji Grover, Sushila Puri, Pawan Karan, Rashmi Bhardwaj, Satyavrat Ranjak, Ashutosh Dubey, and Vyomesh Shukla. Later sessions explored the “forest” of poetry, followed by captivating Bharatanatyam and Odissi performances by Delhi’s Aarohi Munshi and Kolkata’s Arunima Ghosh.
The following day, poets including Joshna Banerjee Advani, Sunder Chandra Thakur, Shailey, Babusha Kohli, Poonam Arora, and Ajit Kumar Rai shared their works. The evening’s highlight was a theatrical rendition of Nirala’s Ram Ki Shakti Puja, directed by Vyomesh Shukla—a challenging adaptation that was met with admiration.
July 23 marked Raza’s death anniversary. Poets, artists, and Raza Foundation members gathered at his resting place in Bichhiya, laying flowers and reaffirming their commitment to preserving his spirit.
Through Raza Smriti Samvay 2025, Vajpeyi and the Raza Foundation demonstrated that without love, no institution can achieve international acclaim or sustain its mission. This festival, rooted in memory, ensured that Raza’s artistic rainbow of Indian philosophy and human harmony continues to inspire generations.
