RASHTRIYA SANSKRITI MAHOTSAV DAY 4 - Spotlight on Art & Culture from South & South Central Zones

2026-08-25 03:38:17 Art & Entertainment

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New Delhi, November 4, 2015: RASHTRIYA SANSKRITI MAHOTSAV hosted by The Ministry of Culture, Government of India showcased charismatic performances by the South Zone Cultural Centre (Thanjavur) & South Central Zone Cultural Centre (Nagpur).

The chief guest of the evening, Minister of External Affairs of India, Smt. Sushma Swaraj, said: ?India is recognized for its diverse culture and it is great to see how the Ministry of Culture has got the entire nation under one roof for seven days. As a nation, we have a lot to offer in terms of languages, culture, food, people, crafts & music. India is truly unified in its diversity, we have dances from Bhangra to Yakshagaana, Odishi to Kuchipudi, Kathak to Bharatnatyam; they all embody the sweet smell of the Indian soil and they all echoe ?Hum Hindustani Hain?. The cultural showcases encourage us to visit other states.?
Dr. Mahesh Sharma, Honourable Minister of State (IC) For Tourism and Culture and Minister of State for Civil Aviation, Government of India, said: Through our 7 zonal centers we have attempted to represent glimpses of India through this Mahotsav. Truly our identity is our culture, when we go in any corner of the world we talk of India and its rich culture, a country on its path to be a leader in the world.?

It was a scintillating evening at the IGNCA grounds, where the action is now hotting up as Delhi-ites witness dance forms they have probably never seen before ? Karagam, Kavadi & Nyandimelam from Tamil Nadu; and Oppana Thiruvathirakali & Margamkali from Kerala.

Audiences were mesmerized by the folk dances from Karnataka and Puducherry-Poojakunitha & Veerabhadra (Karnataka) and Veeraye Veera Nadanam, Kudakoothu & Kaaliattam (Puducherry). The teams from Telangana showcased beautiful dance forms such as Mathuri & Dhimsa, while Panthi Dance from Chattisgarh was an eye opener.

The performances ended on a high note with Songi Mukhawate, Laizim, Shiv Dhol from Maharashtra, Badhai, Gudum Baja, Rai from Madhya Pradesh, Gaur Maria, and a delightful Bastar Band from Chhatisgarh.

The star performance of the evening was by Roop Kumar Rathod and Sonali Rathod, who mesmerized the crowds with their renditions.

Commenting on the Mahotsav, Mrs. Sonali Rathod, said: ?It?s always a pleasure to participate in cultural activities, especially here at the Mahotsav it creates a special feeling of Indian-ness and pride?.

Mr. Roop Kumar Rathod, said: ?There are people from across India here, with a great variety of food and crafts and we are here to add the garnish with our songs?. He adds: ?Phir umeedo ki raat aayi hai, chand taro ko saat laayi hai, aur aap sab ki chahaat ka yeh asar dekho ke hum ko bhi is mehfil mein khinch layi hai?

The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav features an 8 day extravaganza, which takes the festive season a notch higher with its food and shopping, bringing out the very best of indigenous handicrafts and flavours.
Here one can indulge in dishes prepared by Traditional Master Chefs featuring desserts from Bihar, tea from Assam and delectable delicacies from Rajasthan.
The venue is beautifully lit, has delightful behrupiyas interacting with children and boasts of shop-till-you-drop angans which are displaying a wide array of arts and crafts like Haveli paintings from Punjab, Rogan artworks from Gujarat, Banaras silk, Kalamkari (hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile), Tanjore paintings and many more.
The 8 day festival features 150 art forms, performances by more than 1500 artists; 32 forms of paintings: visual arts; 400 master craftsmen; cuisine by traditional master craftsmen & chefs.

A free entry for all, 10 am to 10 pm festival features performances by maidani kalakar everyday with evening stage performances with folk & celebrity artists from 6p.m. To 10 p.m. at the IGNCA, 11, Mansingh Road.

This festival has been envisioned to represent myriad dimensions of our cultural traditions and to generate pride in being an Indian. The Rashtriya Sanskriti Mahotsav is definitely going to be an affair to remember and one that the nation will look forward to every year.