Patna: Patna’s Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir was transformed into a hub of music, movement and colour on Friday evening as Vasantotsav, the annual spring festival organised by the Bihar government’s arts and culture department, opened to the public.
The festival coincided with Saraswati Puja and the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, a convergence that Bihar’s arts and culture minister, Arun Shankar Prasad, described as “a divine meeting of devotion and valour”. Inaugurating the event by lighting the ceremonial lamp, Prasad said spring symbolised “the renewal of nature and the joy of culture”.
“This is a moment where creativity, awareness and our folk traditions come together,” the minister told the audience, urging artists to make use of the state’s chief minister’s artist pension scheme. He added that the renovated Muktaakash Manch, the open-air stage at the venue, would be developed into a major centre for artistic activity in the coming years.
The event also marked the reopening of the open-air theatre after nearly a decade. Pranav Kumar, the department’s secretary, said the restoration of the stage had long been an aspiration. “What was once a resolution has become reality today,” he said, calling on audiences to reconnect with Bihar’s cultural heritage.
Performances on the opening evening reflected the festival’s emphasis on blending tradition with contemporary expression. A fusion dance presentation by Mumbai-based performer Devesh Mirdani drew applause for its mix of classical and modern styles, while Patna singer Alok Choubey’s songs lent what organisers described as a meditative quality to the evening.
Artists from the North Central Zone Cultural Centre, Prayagraj, presented Braj-themed performances, including Phool Ki Holi and a peacock dance, bringing elements of regional folk celebration to the Patna stage.
Ruby, director of the directorate of cultural affairs, said the festival represented “new life and new creation”, adding that the revived open-air venue would provide artists with an important platform. The programme was attended by students from the NCC, NSS and Scout-Guide organisations, along with artists and cultural enthusiasts.
Vasantotsav will continue over the coming days with a range of performances celebrating Bihar’s artistic traditions and wider Indian cultural forms.
