Gorakhpur: Poetry and dialogue took center stage on the third day of the Gorakhpur Book Festival 2025 (November 1–9), organized by the National Book Trust (NBT) at Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University (DDUGU).
In the morning, over 500 students from 12 schools participated in interactive storytelling, origami, and dance workshops. The first session, titled “Into the Storyland,” conducted by Shalini Bansal, introduced young listeners to a clever little rabbit who outwitted everyone in the jungle. Inspired by the story, children learned to trust themselves, reminding one another that they are smart and confident. Following this, winners of the painting competition organized on November 1 were awarded certificates and books by NBT India. An energetic “Body and Dance Movement Workshop” followed, where students refreshed their bodies and minds through dance. The day at the Children’s Pavilion concluded with a “Fun with Origami” session, where children created colorful animals through the art of paper folding.
A Chat with Journalist Nidhi Kulpati
The first session on Day 3 featured an interaction with senior television journalist Nidhi Kulpati, known for her gentle and influential presence throughout her 35-year-long career in TV news. In a thought-provoking conversation with NBT’s Yogita Yadav, Ms. Kulpati spoke about the changing forms of journalism, societal shifts, and the expectations and challenges of the profession. In the latter half of the session, students from Gorakhpur University posed questions to the senior journalist, who also recited two of her poems.
In the second session, ‘Women@Workplace: Another Aspect of the Discourse,’ retired police officer Dr. Satya Singh from Lucknow and doctor-writer Dr. Nidhi Agrawal from Jhansi held a discussion with journalist-writer Uma from Jaipur on the various issues faced by women in the modern workplace.
Additionally, Gorakhpur’s young poets presented splendid poems on Mission Shakti in a Kavi Sammelan chaired by Sarwat Jamal. The poets included Ashutosh Tiwari, Prashant Mishra, Salim Mazhar, Nikhil Pandey, Dr. Chetna, Kunwar Sachin, Mrityunjay Naval, Vinita Mishra, Charu Sheela, Amit Upadhyay, and Akriti Vigya ‘Arpan,’ among others.
Ram Katha Comes Alive on Stage
The highlight of the cultural evening was Shri Ram Katha, presented through a unique confluence of oral storytelling and graceful Kathak dance. It was brought to life vocally by Dr. Jayshree Sethi and Shri Shamir, while Kathak dancers Kirti Rastogi and Priyanka Rai performed the narrative through dance under the direction of Kathak exponent Shweta Mishra.
This integrated performance offered a captivating experience, blending dramatic narration, melodious music, vivid sound effects, and an immersive LED backdrop. The two masterful narrators recounted the entire Ramayana with enchanting voices and compelling expressions, painting a vivid “theatre of the mind” for the audience. The exquisite Kathak dance segments, seamlessly woven into the narrative, further enhanced the story’s overall allure.
Organized by NBT in collaboration with the Government of Uttar Pradesh and Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gorakhpur University, the Gorakhpur Book Festival features more than 100 publishers and 200 book stalls, showcasing thousands of books in Hindi, English, and various Indian languages.
Rediscover the joy of reading at the Gorakhpur Book Festival, open daily from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM until November 9. Entry to the festival is free, along with a 10% discount on all books.
