Patna: The Megha Malhar Utsav 2025 brought a vibrant fusion of classical and folk traditions to Premchand Rangshala on Saturday, drawing audiences into a celebration of rhythm, poetry and devotion.
The evening opened with a ceremonial lamp lighting by senior officials of the Department of Art, Culture and Youth and Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir. The invocation “Tamaso Maa Jyotirgamaya” set a spiritual tone, casting the auditorium into an atmosphere of divinity.
The first performance featured Kathak dancer Rahul Rajak from Katihar, who presented Madhurashtakam, a composition by Acharya Vallabhacharya and choreographed by Padma Vibhushan Pandit Birju Maharaj. His interpretation captured the sweetness of Lord Krishna and later evoked the monsoon mood with pieces such as “Ghanghor Baadal” and a Kajri that mirrored the pangs of separation through rhythmic thunder, lightning and the sound of rain.
Rajasthani singer Ali Khan and his troupe followed, offering traditional welcome songs like “Padhaaro Mare Desh” alongside folk dances. Their renditions of popular numbers including “Nibudha” and “Damadam Mast Kalandar” filled the hall with energy and had the audience clapping along.
The final segment highlighted Bihar’s own cultural wealth. Chandni Shukla and her group from Purnia began with a song by the medieval poet Vidyapati before weaving Bhojpuri and Maithili folk songs into their set. The festival concluded with dancers from Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir performing devotional pieces dedicated to Harihar and Hari.
