Lucknow – The third and concluding day of Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya’s centenary celebrations concluded in a solemn and celebratory atmosphere, marked by a rich showcase of Indian music and dance. The event was graced by Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Anandiben Patel, who formally closed the centenary festivities, leaving the audience enthralled by the exquisite performances.
The Governor began her visit with a tour of the university’s Veethika, which illustrated the institution’s glorious legacy. She then proceeded to the Kalamandapam Auditorium, where Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandavi Singh felicitated her with a ceremonial shawl and memento. During the event, Hon’ble Minister of Social Welfare, Asim Arun, was also honoured with a memento by the university’s Registrar, Dr. Srishti Dhawan.
In her welcome address, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandavi Singh highlighted the university’s centenary journey, achievements, and future plans, extending gratitude to the Governor and distinguished guests.
During the programme, the Governor released the book “Bhatkhande Sanskriti Vishwavidyalaya: A Musical Journey”, authored by Dr. Poonam Srivastava. Additionally, Prof. Srishti Mathur, Head of the Vocal Department, was presented a certificate of appreciation for her contributions to research and musical coordination. A short film showcasing the university’s evolving legacy, academic achievements, and cultural contributions was also screened, earning high praise from the audience.
Asim Arun, in his address, lauded the vision of Pandit Vishnu Narayan Bhatkhande, describing the seeds he sowed as a banyan tree spreading its shade worldwide. He suggested cultural evening programmes like Sham-e-Awadh and acknowledged the success of mass marriage initiatives, paying tribute to Bhatkhande’s enduring legacy.
The university also honoured Dr. Gauri Shankar Chauhan, designer of the university’s emblem, and winners of various competitions held as part of the centenary celebrations:
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Vocal Instrumental: Swayam Mishra
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Dance: Vallari Narayan Pathak
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Singing: Harsh Sharma
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Percussion: Alok Mishra
Cultural Performances
The evening opened with a spirited tabla recital by Pt. Sanju Sahay of the Banaras gharana, who mesmerized the audience with a demonstration of the gharana’s unique rhythmic nuances and a powerful performance based on the famous Jogiya song.
This was followed by a stunning Kathak performance by Padma Shri awardee Shovana Narayan, who began with a thematic invocation of Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna under the concept of Hari-Har. Through intricate footwork and expressive storytelling, she depicted scenes from the Mahabharata, including Krishna as charioteer in the battlefield, Draupadi’s disrobing, and the story of Yashodhara. The performance included rhythmic compositions like Na-Dhin-Dhin-Na, evoking imagery of clouds, rain, lightning, and Radha-Krishna’s joyous dance. Musical accompaniment by Imran Khan (vocal), Mahaveer Gangani (pakhawaj), Azhar Shakeel (violin), and Yash Gangani (tabla) further enhanced the performance.
In her closing remarks, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mandavi Singh emphasised the centenary as a landmark in the university’s cultural journey and reiterated its commitment to preserving and promoting Indian art traditions. Registrar Dr. Srishti Dhawan highlighted how the three-day international conference and centenary celebrations effectively projected the global relevance of Indian music, dance, and cultural heritage in the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The ceremony concluded with the felicitation of Shovana Narayan and her accompanying artists by the Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Principal Secretary Higher Education Shri M.P. Agrawal, and former Vice-Chancellor Prof. Purnima Pandey, leaving the audience inspired by a memorable cultural celebration that celebrated the richness and vitality of Indian performing arts.
