Exhibition, Discussions, Film Screenings, Music, Storytelling, and Theatre to Mark the Event
Lucknow: The Shrilal Shukla Centenary Celebration will be held on March 20 at the Jupiter Auditorium, Indira Gandhi Pratishthan, Gomti Nagar. The event is being organized by the Language, Literature, and Culture Cell of the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Limited (IFFCO).
Event Schedule: A Six-Session Celebration
The celebrations will be spread across six sessions, each offering a unique tribute to the literary giant.
Session 1: Inaugural Ceremony & Exhibition (10:30 AM – 11:30 AM)
- The event will commence with the inauguration of a painting and book exhibition by Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
- Actor Pankaj Tripathi and fellow artists will present a reading of excerpts from Raag Darbari, Shrilal Shukla’s most celebrated novel.
Session 2: “Shrilal Shukla – Kuch Rang, Kuch Raag” (11:30 AM – 1:30 PM)
- The session will begin with a ceremonial lamp-lighting and felicitation of guests.
- IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani will deliver the welcome address.
- Renowned writer Yatindra Mishra will present insights into Shrilal Shukla’s literary journey.
- Prominent dignitaries, including Lucknow University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Alok Rai, UP Cooperative Minister J.P.S. Rathore, and UP Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, will share their thoughts.
- Chief Guest Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha will deliver a keynote address, followed by a vote of thanks by IFFCO Managing Director Dr. Uday Shankar Awasthi.
Session 3: “Raag Darbari – Past, Present, and Future” (2:30 PM – 3:30 PM)
- IFFCO Chairman Dilip Sanghani will preside over the session.
- Padma Shri Malini Awasthi will enthrall the audience with a musical recital.
- Renowned storyteller Himanshu Bajpai will present a storytelling session.
- The session will also feature a discussion with Ashutosh Shukla (Chief Editor, Dainik Jagran, Uttar Pradesh) and noted writer Jai Prakash Kardam.
Session 4: Screening of a Documentary on Shrilal Shukla (3:30 PM – 4:30 PM)
- A short film depicting the life and works of Shrilal Shukla will be screened, offering an insight into his legacy.
Session 5: “Shrilal Shukla in Memories” (4:30 PM – 5:30 PM)
- Dr. Uday Shankar Awasthi will chair this session.
- Eminent literary figures Naresh Saxena, Vandana Mishra, Akhilesh, and Utkarsh Shukla will share their reflections and memories of the legendary writer.
Session 6: Theatrical Adaptation of Raag Darbari (6:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
- The event will conclude with a theatrical presentation of Raag Darbari by Darpan Natya Manch, Lucknow, bringing the celebrated novel to life on stage.
This centenary celebration will be a fitting tribute to Shrilal Shukla’s immense contribution to Indian literature, capturing his influence through art, discussions, music, storytelling, and theatre.
