The vibrant three-day UP Diwas celebrations reached their grand finale on Tuesday, culminating in a spectacular evening of devotional music and traditional performances at the Rashtra Prerna Sthal in Lucknow. The event, which had been inaugurated by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, successfully captured the diverse cultural essence of Uttar Pradesh through an array of folk-art forms and contemporary presentations.
A Soulful Musical Evening
The closing ceremony featured an enchanting lineup of artists who mesmerized the audience with their exceptional talents. Singer Prathiba Singh Baghel delivered a deeply moving performance of bhajans and light music, setting a spiritual tone for the evening. From Mathura, Sudha Pal presented captivating folk dance movements, while Delhi's Devika S Manglamukhi showcased the graceful artistry of kathak dance.
Local Talent Shines Bright
Lucknow's own Ajay Pandey captivated attendees with his authentic folk music renditions, followed by the poignant Birha singing of Chedilal from Kaushambi. The musical journey continued with performances by Shiv and Shivang from Rae Bareli, who provided the perfect conclusion to the cultural extravaganza.
Exhibitions and Major Attractions
Beyond the stage performances, the event featured several engaging exhibitions that drew hundreds of visitors. An informative display highlighting Lucknow's development progress proved particularly popular, alongside exhibitions promoting the ODOP (One District-One Product) initiative and the innovative 'One District-One Cuisine' scheme.
The rock fusion performance by renowned band Indian Ocean emerged as one of the event's major highlights, blending contemporary sounds with traditional influences. Throughout the three-day celebration, visitors were treated to diverse performances including kathak by Saurabh-Gaurav Mishra from Varanasi, tabla mastery by Pooran Maharaj, and classical singing by Shweta Dubey from Varanasi and Sheetal Mohan Mishra from Azamgarh.
Second Day Highlights
On the second day of UP Diwas, light music performances by Vineet Singh from Mumbai served as the main attraction. The cultural programming continued throughout the day with notable acts including Veerendra Singhal from Jhansi, folk singing by Lucknow's Ranjana Agrawal, and devotional bhajans by Varanasi's Ganesh Pathak.
Dance enthusiasts enjoyed the Rai folk dance presentation by Vandana Kushwaha from Jhansi, while the kathak duo Rahul-Rohit Mishra of Varanasi delivered a synchronized performance that showcased the classical dance form's elegance. Delhi's Harish Tiwari offered a soul-stirring classical music recital, complemented by tabla accompaniment from Lucknow's Ilmas Khan.
Theatrical Excellence
Chandrabhushan from Unnao staged a compelling theatrical production that proved exceptionally popular with visitors, demonstrating the enduring appeal of traditional storytelling through drama. Lucknow's Vishal Gupta further enriched the cultural tapestry with his classical dance presentation, adding another layer of artistic excellence to the celebrations.
The UP Diwas event successfully brought together artists from across the state and beyond, creating a vibrant platform that celebrated Uttar Pradesh's rich cultural heritage while looking toward its promising future. The diverse programming ensured there was something for every cultural enthusiast, from traditional folk arts to contemporary fusion performances.
