Megh Malhar Utsav 2024 celebrates monsoon and tradition with vibrant performances in Patna

Patna: Patna’s Hari Uppal Auditorium at Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir came alive today with Megh Malhar Utsav 2024, a celebration of monsoon and classical Indian arts. Organised by the Department of Art, Culture, and Youth, Government of Bihar, in collaboration with Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir, the event showcased an array of traditional performances, blending classical and folk music, dance, and theatre.

The festival was inaugurated by Dayanidhan Pandey, Secretary of the Department of Art, Culture, and Youth, along with Ruby, Director of the Directorate of Cultural Affairs, and other esteemed guests, who lit the ceremonial lamp.

Performers from Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir’s various disciplines, including classical singing, folk music, tabla, Bharatnatyam, Kathak, and folk dance, took to the stage with a vibrant cultural programme. The event began with a captivating Shiv Vandana in the Kathak dance style, performed by Kumar Krishna Kishore, a Kathak teacher, along with student Richa Suman. This was followed by a powerful tabla and pakhavaj recital from Shantanu Roy and Sangeet Kumar Pathak, showcasing the depth and rhythm of Indian percussion.

The Megh Malhar Utsav continued with a rendition of Raag Megh Malhar, performed by Ashok Kumar Prasad, a music composition teacher. The recital paid homage to the monsoon, which holds a special place in Indian classical music.

In a tribute to Bihar’s folk traditions, teacher Manoranjan Ojha led students in performances of Jhumar, Chaihar, and Kajri songs, followed by a traditional Nachari dance dedicated to Lord Shiva, presented by Bharatnatyam teacher Sudipa Ghosh. The folk dance department’s students, under Soma Chakraborty’s guidance, performed a Kajari dance, further celebrating the rainy season.

One of the highlights of the evening was the Thiruvathirakkali performance, a dance tradition from Kerala. Performed by Bharatanatyam teacher Sangeeta Raman Kutti and her students, the circular dance is a symbol of feminine energy and marital happiness, observed on the holy day of Thiruvathira Nakshatra, believed to be Lord Shiva’s birthday.

Kathak students also presented Pavas Ullas, a celebration of the rains, while teacher Vinod Kumar Pathak performed a traditional Dhrupad vocal piece. The programme culminated in a musical fusion directed by classical singing teacher Bam Shankar Mishra.

The evening reached its grand finale with the students of the Kathak department performing Tarana, a composition by the legendary Padma Shri Pandit Birju Maharaj, under the direction of Kumar Krishna Kishore.

As the programme concluded, all the teachers and artists were honoured with Angavastra by the Secretary of the Department of Art, Culture, and Youth. Sushant Kumar, Administrative Officer of Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir, delivered a vote of thanks, and the event was smoothly conducted by Soma Chakraborty.

The festival drew an enthusiastic audience, including teachers, students, staff, and invited guests, all of whom were treated to a mesmerising display of India’s rich artistic heritage.