Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Hindustan Times (Lucknow) - Live
PLAY, DANCE & MUSIC: ALL IN ONE FEST
Popular film and television actor Manoj Joshi performed play ‘Chanakya’ during the 23rd Annual Youth Festival. The play was staged as a part of mega cultural programme on Tuesday. Before the play, students from the Rhythm Academy, Unnao performed the Ramleela through dance.
State president of BJP, Swatantra Dev Singh and Minister of State Upendra Tiwari gave speeches before the play. The powerful dialogue and performances had the audience cheering throughout the play.
‘Chanakya’ is being performed since 1990 so this was its 1192nd show. It has been directed by Manoj Joshi and written by Mihir Bhuta. The play showcases the teacher, philosopher, economist and jurist, Chanakya’s pursuit for a united India. It shows his journey as he assists Chandragupta to become the king of the Mauryan Empire. The play also highlights Chanakya’s warning against Alexander who had set out to conquer India.
Before the play began, Manoj Joshi came on stage and said, “Invaders have not destroyed our culture, it is still very much alive. I urge you all to see this play closely and observe its dialogue with the eyes of the mind.”
The last evening of the Youth Festival, on Wednesday was a musical evening. Audiences swayed to the beats of Indian folk singer Kalpana Patowary. She began her performance with singing playwright Bhikhari Thakur’s, ‘More Ganga Ji ho’. She then sang the Mahishasura Mardini in Sanskrit. She also sang songs from Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, and Punjab.
All-female rock band, ‘Meri Zindagi’ also performed that evening. Dr Jaya Tiwari is the founder of the band. She along with Niharika Dubey, Anamika, Shraddha, and Rita performed their songs ‘Durga Doormati Dur Kar,’ and ‘Desh Bachana Hai toh Beti Bachao.’
Contestants from different parts of India captivated the audience in a guitar and mridangam competition. Dancers from Manipur, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Andhra
Pradesh and, Odhisha also performed their folk dances. Performers from 16 states did Bharatnatyam depicting Indian gods and goddesses.
Youth from different states also performed plays in the BBD auditorium. The team from Jammu and Kashmir presented their play ‘Jung-eKashmir’ which depicted the destruction due to terrorist attacks in Kashmir. An elocution competition was held in the Mars hall where contestants had to speak on a given topic for one minute without any prior preparation.