Mahotsav Mania Mesmerises Mumbai
Manu Shrivastava | Mumbai
The two-year-COVID-induced hiatus that had Mumbai reeling couldn't keep the city or its people down for long. Swift to bounce back, India's financial capital has flexed its cultural muscle and how.
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| Cultural bonanza was on display at Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav in Mumbai |
Life in Mumbai has become vibrant and its bouyance underlined with back-to-back festivals - Of Art, Music, Literature, Sports, Theatre, Comedy and You-Name-It. Mumbai is now the official Festival City Of India with events happening throughout the year.
Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
The Union Ministry of Culture’s Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav 2023 was held in Mumbai from 11th till 19th February 2023 at Azad Maidan. The festival, inaugurated by the-then Governor of Maharashtra Bhagat Singh Koshyari, aimed to promote National Unity and integrity through cultural exchange.
The colourful inauguration ceremony was presided over by Union Minister of Culture & Tourism G. Kishan Reddy in the presence of Maharashtra Minister of Cultural Affairs, Forest and Fisheries Sudhir Mungantiwar and Maharashtra Minister of Tourism, Skill Development, Employment, Entrepreneurship, Women & Child Development Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
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| The festival aimed to promote National Unity and integrity through cultural exchange |
In 2023, for the first time, the cultural festival was hosted in Mumbai. It presented an opportunity to Mumbaikars to experience India’s rich and diverse art, culture, craft and cuisine; to immerse in the vibrant world of Indian culture and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the rich heritage.
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| The Mahotsav presented an opportunity to the attendees to immerse in India's vibrant culture |
The initiative is part of the special efforts undertaken by the government to ensure India’s rich culture is passed on to the next generation and there is admiration and awareness about indigenous art and culture.
Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is envisioned to become a world-famous event like the Kumbh Mela, symbolising Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat – despite the numerous diversities in language and cultural expressions, India stays united. The Governor aptly said that India is heralding a renaissance of the country’s rich culture and the timeless traditions must be kept alive.
From local to global
The grand Mahotsav hosted more than a thousand artists from across India. These included 150 craftsmen from the seven Zonal Cultural Centres of the Ministry of Culture who showcased their respective state’s art and craft. An exhibition space, called Angan, housed 70 stalls with exhibition-cum-sale of wares from different states and 25 stalls of Maharashtra State Handloom Department.
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| Stalls displayed art and handicrafts from all Indian states |
Besides the art and handicrafts exhibitions, there were performances of tribal and folk dancers, classical artists, entertainers, martial art practitioners, etc. Captivating performances from 350 folk and tribal artists and 300 local folk artists, in vibrant costumes, were the highlights of the festival. The festival featured a variety of folk dances, Lavani, Kathak, Bharatnatyam, etc.
The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav was packed with exciting performances by renowned Indian artists such as Mame Khan, Rahul Deshpande, Maitreyee Pahari, Nitin Mukesh, Avinash Chandrachud and more.
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| More than 350 folk and tribal artists performed at the Mahotsav |
At the inauguration ceremony, a Kathak dance performance by Tejaswini Sathe and her troupe and a musical show by Mohit Chauhan - who presented a melodious rendition titled ‘Tumse Hi, 25 Saal Ka Surila Safar’ that means ‘A musical journey of 25 years’ – captivated the audience.
Scintillating performances
The cultural festival featured some of the most accomplished Bharatnatyam dancers in the country. A Bharatnatyam performance by Chennai’s Kalakshetra Foundation was the highlight of the festival. Renowned musician and composer Saleel Kulkarni performed at the festival as well. Devotional Marathi artist Anand Bhate presented his special Marathi Abhanga - a unique blend of classical and devotional music.
The evenings at the festival lined up performances by artists across India showcasing classical, folk and contemporary art forms. The Nagaland Conservatory of Music Choir conducted by Lipokmar Tzudir performed a series of mesmerising western and folk music.
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| Musical performances captivated the audience |
Then there was a musical tribute to legendary composer R. D. Burman. It was performed by Raj Sodha, Kishor Sodha and Siddharth Entertainers. There were a host of classical Indian and Bollywood music performances that kept the crowds entertained.
Journey of faith
As part of the nine-day Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav at Azad Maidan in Mumbai, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) organised an Exhibition on Pandharpur Vari: A Confluence of Faith and Affection. It’s an effort to showcase the faith of the Varkaris for their Mauli, as seen during Pandharpur Ashadhi Vari.
The exhibition, inaugurated by Union Minister For Culture, Tourism & Development Of North Eastern Region (DoNER) G. Kishan Reddy and Maharashtra Minister for Forests, Cultural Affairs, Fisheries Sudhir Mungantiwar was attended by many.
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| The exhibition on Pandharpur Vari showcases the faith of the Varkaris |
One of the biggest pilgrimage sites in Maharashtra, Pandharpur is located on the banks of Chandrabhaga River in Solapur District of Maharashtra. The famous Vithoba / Vitthal temple attracts about a million pilgrims during the major yatra or procession in the Hindu calendar month of Ashadh (June – July) known as Vari. It is a more than 800 years old tradition. Lord Vitthal is regarded as affectionate Mauli (Mother) by his followers who are known as Varkaris. Varkari in Marathi means one who performs the Vari or one who venerates the Vithoba.
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