Lucknow: A vibrant celebration of music, dance and cultural heritage marked the opening day of the two-day concluding ceremony of the Summer Art Training Workshops organized by the Uttar Pradesh Sangeet Natak Akademi at the Sant Gadge Ji Maharaj Auditorium in Lucknow.
The event was held under the guidance of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Culture and Tourism Minister Jaiveer Singh, with the conceptual leadership of Akademi Chairman Prof. Jayant Khot and Vice-Chairperson Vibha Singh.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Khot emphasized the transformative power of the arts, stating that “art is life and life is art.” He said the workshops were designed to introduce younger generations to India’s rich artistic traditions, provide a platform for emerging talent and encourage innovation in creative expression.
“Art is not merely something to be displayed on stage; it is a way of life. Discipline in practice, dedication in performance and sensitivity in everyday life are the hallmarks of a true artist,” he remarked.
Vibha Singh highlighted the role of art as a powerful medium for preserving cultural heritage and human values. She noted that participants had not only acquired technical skills but had also imbibed the essence of Indian art and culture.
“Such workshops nurture creativity, confidence and discipline while helping young artists remain connected to their cultural roots in a rapidly changing world,” she said.
The 30-day summer workshop, held from May 18 to June 22, attracted nearly 400 participants, reflecting growing interest in traditional performing arts. Training was offered in classical vocal music, semi-classical music, Kathak, tabla, Awadhi folk songs, devotional and ghazal singing, theatre, photography and anchoring by a distinguished panel of artists and instructors.
The evening featured a series of captivating performances by workshop participants. Students of devotional and ghazal music presented bhajans, ghazals and qawwalis, while performers trained in Awadhi folk music enthralled the audience with traditional songs representing marriage ceremonies, festivals, patriotic themes and folk traditions.
Classical vocal students showcased compositions in Raag Bhimpalasi, followed by a tarana and devotional pieces, earning warm applause from the audience. Semi-classical performers presented dadras, thumris and tappas in Raag Pilu and Raag Khamaj, demonstrating the depth and diversity of Hindustani music.
Kathak students trained under Dr. Manju Malkani, Shruti Sharma and Neeta Joshi delivered graceful performances based on Krishna bhajans, Shiv stutis, thumris and seasonal compositions. Their presentations blended traditional Kathak techniques with expressive storytelling and rhythmic precision.
Participants from the tabla workshop impressed listeners with renditions of traditional compositions, including uthaan, tukdas and kaydas inspired by the Delhi gharana, followed by rhythmic interpretations of devotional melodies.
According to Acting Director Saurabh Saxena, the celebrations will continue on June 23 with the staging of the theatre production “Boond Pani Ki”, prepared by participants of the drama workshop under the direction of theatre expert Shailesh Srivastava.
The event showcased the Akademi’s ongoing efforts to preserve, promote and pass on India’s rich performing arts traditions to the next generation through structured training and public performance opportunities.
