Lucknow: The second day of the Centenary Celebrations of Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya witnessed an enchanting cultural evening that reflected the richness and continuity of India’s musical, dance and theatrical traditions. Eminent artistes from across the country delivered soul-stirring performances that left the audience deeply moved, transforming the ambience into one filled with rasa, emotion and aesthetic beauty.
Padma Shri Malini Awasthi’s Soulful Vocal Performance
The cultural evening, held as the second session of the day, featured a powerful and evocative vocal recital by Padma Shri awardee and renowned folk and semi-classical singer Malini Awasthi. She began her performance with an invocation to Maheshwaraya Mahadev, setting a spiritually charged tone for the evening.
She went on to render a series of captivating compositions, including the thumri “Sanwariya Dekhe Bina Na Chain,” the dadra “Gujri Gayi Ratiya Saiyan Na Aaye,” “Sautan Ghar Na Ja Ab More Saiyan,” and “Tohe Leke Sanwariya Nikal Chalibe,” among others.
Her singing stood out for its rare blend of folk spontaneity and classical discipline. Through her sensitive and expressive voice, she brought alive emotions of devotion, longing, feminine anguish and shringara, deeply touching the hearts of listeners. The evening proved to be an unforgettable experience for music and art connoisseurs.
Powerful Theatrical Presentation ‘Mohe Piya’
The cultural programme continued with a compelling theatrical production titled ‘Mohe Piya’, staged by noted theatre personality and director Prof. Vaman Kendre along with his troupe. The play is based on ‘Madhyam Vyayog’, a Sanskrit work by the ancient playwright Mahakavi Bhasa.
The production showcased a remarkable synthesis of classical Indian theatre traditions and modern theatrical sensibilities, marked by powerful performances, evocative stage design, music and expressive movement.
Key roles were portrayed by:
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Ghatotkacha: Ritvik Kendre
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Bhima: Suhas Suryavanshi
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Hidimba: Karishma Desale
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Nati: Samprati Patil
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Brahmin Woman: Vaidehi Wagal
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Keshavdas: Mandar Pandit
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Elder Son: Sumit Bhalerav
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Middle Son: Amol Jadhav
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Youngest Son: Shreyas Joshi
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Karna: Sumit Bhalerav
The production was further strengthened by an experienced technical and creative team. The adaptation, direction and music were helmed by Prof. Vaman Kendre, with choreography by Anil Sutar and C. Gopalakrishnan, costumes by Sandhya Salve, lighting by Anup Joshi, sound design by Mangesh Shinde, and set design by Shivdas Ghodke and Nabid Inamdar. The production was led by Gauri Kendre, with stage management by Samprati Patil.
‘Mohe Piya’ emerged as a multi-layered theatrical work exploring themes of love, separation, politics and complex human relationships. Based on an episode from the Mahabharata, the play powerfully portrayed the conflict between Aryan duty and non-Aryan familial love through the relationships of Bhima, Hidimba and Ghatotkacha. The eventual sacrifice of Ghatotkacha by the Vasavi Shakti unfolded as a poignant tragedy, where a mother loses her son to the compulsions of political strategy.
Audience Response and Cultural Significance
Art lovers, students, researchers and general audiences present in the auditorium were visibly overwhelmed by the performances. The event received resounding appreciation, with viewers describing it as one of the most dignified, thought-provoking and memorable programmes of the centenary celebrations.
The cultural evening stood as a powerful testament to the preservation and promotion of India’s musical and theatrical heritage, adding historic and cultural grandeur to the centenary year of Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya.
