The 39th Foundation Day of IGNCA concluded with captivating Performances by Folk Artists

21st March, New Delhi:

The three-day Foundation Day celebration of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) concluded with engaging performances by eminent folk artists. Held from 19 to 21 March, the first two days of the event resonated with classical presentations by Dr. Sonal Mansingh and Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam, while the third and concluding day was enlivened by folk music. The programme stood out as a distinctive confluence of classical and folk traditions, presenting a harmonious blend of Indian artistic forms that vividly reflected the cultural spirit of unity in diversity.

The third and final day (21 March) was immersed in the many shades of folk music. Cultural presentations began at 4:00 PM with the Bagurumba dance of Assam, performed by Ms. Swagata Sarma and her group. This was followed by the traditional Nati dance of Himachal Pradesh, presented by Shri Prem Chand Bounali and his troupe, reflecting the simplicity and celebratory spirit of the hill culture.

At 5:00 PM, the well-known Talwar Raas of Gujarat was performed by Shri Nilesh Parmar and his group, offering a striking display of valour and collective energy. This was followed by a dynamic presentation of Kerala's ancient martial art, Kalaripayattu, by Shri Krishnadas Gurukkal and the Vallabhatta Kalari group, leaving the audience deeply impressed.

In the evening segment, at 6:00 PM, Padma Shri Bheru Singh Chouhan from Madhya Pradesh presented devotional singing based on the verses of Kabir, drawing listeners into a deeply reflective and spiritual experience. Concluding the cultural presentations, noted Sufi singer Dr. Mamta Joshi performed Sufi and Kabir compositions, filling the atmosphere with a sense of devotion and mysticism.

It is noteworthy that the first two days of the event were dedicated to distinguished classical performances. On the opening day, eminent Nritya Guru, cultural scholar, and former Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh captivated the audience with her presentation titled 'Natya Katha - Devi.' Her powerful expression and profound grounding in classical tradition left a lasting impression. On the second day, Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam's dance-drama based on the Bhagavad Gita was not merely a performance but a deeply immersive experience, where dance, music, and philosophy came together seamlessly to engage the audience at an inner level. At the age of 83, her uninterrupted performance of nearly two hours was remarkable; equally striking was the vitality and expressive depth she maintained throughout. Her facial expressions were so vivid that each verse seemed to take a visible form.

The exhibitions organised within the Centre's premises also drew significant attention. The photographic exhibition 'Kaladrishti: A Decade of Vision' presented the creative journey of IGNCA. 'Aakhyan: Breathing Hides - The Soul of Andhra Puppetry' offered a vivid portrayal of traditional puppetry from Andhra Pradesh, while the 'Thewa Exhibition' introduced visitors to a distinctive and relatively lesser-known art form from Rajasthan.This three-day celebration emerged as a compelling synthesis of classical depth and folk vitality. While the classical presentations articulated the philosophical richness of Indian traditions, the folk arts revealed the spontaneity, joy, and diversity of everyday life. The IGNCA Foundation Day celebration not only offered an unforgettable experience for art enthusiasts but also reaffirmed the Centre's continued commitment to preserving and promoting India's cultural traditions.