IGNCA to Celebrate Fifth Nadi Utsav from 19th September
New Delhi: Indian civilisation since time immemorial has revered rivers as sacred, viewing them not merely as natural features but as fundamental elements woven into the very fabric of our cultural heritage. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), an institution dedicated to art and culture, has been organising the ‘Nadi Utsav’ on a grand scale for the last few years. This noble initiative was conceived by Dr. Sachchidanand Joshi to create awareness and sensitize people about their ecology and environment. ‘Nadi Utsav’ began in 2018 and has been celebrated annually at various significant locations. The event highlights the cultural and ecological importance of rivers, fostering a deep connection between local traditions and the environment. The IGNCA initiated the Nadi Utsav in 2018 at Nashik, Maharashtra, located on the banks of the Godavari River. The second Nadi Utsav was held at Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, along the Krishna River, while the third took place at Munger, Bihar, at the banks of Ganges River. The fourth edition was organized in Delhi along the Yamuna River.
Continuing the tradition, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) is organizing the 5th edition of Nadi Utsav, to be held at IGNCA, New Delhi, from 19th to 21st September 2024. At a press conference held on 18th September, Prof. K. Anil Kumar, HoD Janapada Sampada Division, Shri Anurag Punetha, Controller, Media Centre, IGNCA and Shri Abhay Mishra, Convenor of Nadi Utsav, provided insights into the upcoming fifth edition of Nadi Utsav. The main objective of Nadi Utsav is to create awareness about the cultural and ecological importance of rivers, fostering a deep connection between local traditions and the environment. While addressing the reporters, Shri Anurag Punetha, Controller of the Media Centre, emphasized that rivers hold a deep cultural significance, likening them to humans and noting how civilizations, like rivers, constantly renew themselves. He highlighted that the three-day Nadi Utsav will begin on Thursday, 19th September, at 2:30 PM with the screening of the documentary Yamuna: The Rivers of Gods and Humans, directed by Abhay Mishra, at IGNCA’s Samvet Auditorium. The inauguration ceremony, scheduled for 5:00 PM the same day, will be graced by the presence of Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Union Minister of Culture and Tourism.
While sharing details about the event, Abhay Mishra described Nadi Utsav as a modest effort to preserve traditional water wisdom. He mentioned that, in the race for modernity, we have forgotten to express gratitude to our rivers. This event serves as a reminder of our deep connection with them. A documentary film festival titled ‘My River Story’ will feature 11 documentaries based on rivers, and over the three-day festival, prominent figures such as environmentalist Mrs. Basanti Negi, Swami Chidanand Saraswati from Parmarth Ashram, and Shri Savji Dholakia, President of the Dholakia Foundation, who revived a river in Gujarat, will be present. The festival will host a national seminar titled ‘Rivers in Reverse – Making of a Lifeline’, 48 research papers on rivers and river culture, children’s art workshops, an environment book fair, painting and photography exhibitions, and a captivating display of traditional miniature boats. Cultural performances by distinguished artists such as Guru Smt. Kasturi Pattanaik and Guru Smt. Marie Elangovan will enrich the event. The festival will also include scholarly discussions on the mention of rivers in ancient texts, the cultural heritage along riverbanks, and the role of rivers in folk traditions, making it a comprehensive celebration of riverine culture.
Key Highlights of the Program:
- National Seminar: A national seminar titled ‘Rivers in Reverse – Making of a Lifeline’ will be held as part of this festival.
- Documentary Film Festival: ‘My River Story,’ a film festival showcasing films based on rivers, the lifelines of civilizations and cultures.
- Children’s Art Workshop: A creative workshop to instil the importance of river conservation in young minds.
- Environment Book Fair: A special book fair dedicated to environmental literature, with a special focus on rivers and their ecosystems. There will also be a special session for publishers on the challenges and hopes in the field of environmental publishing.
Exhibitions:
– Kangsabati – A Photographic Journey: A visual story of the Kangsabati River and the culture surrounding it.
– Exhibition of Paintings by School Students- highlighting the beauty and value of rivers.
– Boats of India: A display of traditional boats used in Indian rivers.
The festival will also feature cultural programs showcasing India’s river heritage:
– Odissi Dance by Guru Smt. Kasturi Pattanaik and her team
– Bharatanatyam by Guru Smt. Marie Elangovan and her team
– Classical Performances by Ms. Madhura and Ms. Bhairavi Kirpekar
– Himachali Folk Songs by Shri Vikrant Bhandral