CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The Regional Rupaka Festival was inaugurated at the Bhopal campus of the Central Sanskrit University, an institution under the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
The inaugural ceremony was presided over by Ramakant Pandey, Director of the Central Sanskrit University, Bhopal campus, with Radha Vallabh Tripathi, former Vice-Chancellor of the National Sanskrit Institute, New Delhi, as the Chief Guest. Sadasiva Kumar Dwivedi, Director of the Bharat Studies Centre at Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, attended as the Saraswat Guest, and Neelabh Tiwari, Co-Director of the Bhopal campus, was also present. The program’s patron is Shrinivas Varakhedi, Chancellor of the Central Sanskrit University, New Delhi.
Welcoming the guests and participants, Prof. Neelabh Tiwari remarked, “India is a land of diverse cultures, and this diversity is beautifully reflected in the Regional Rupaka Festival hosted at the Bhopal campus of the Central Sanskrit University.” The festival’s coordinator, Kripa Shankar Sharma, presented its objectives, stating that ten theatre troupes from various regions, including Jaipur, Bhilwara, Nagpur, Nashik, Delhi, and Bhopal, will perform plays in Sanskrit, showcasing Indian culture.
The Chief Guest, Radha Vallabh Tripathi, emphasized that drama is an integral part of human life, enabling the fulfillment of all four Purusharthas (goals of life). Presiding over the session, Ramakant Pandey stated, “The Sanskrit text ‘Natyashastra’ offers knowledge of drama and culture that remains relevant across eras. The Central Sanskrit University plays a leading role in making Sanskrit drama accessible to the public.” He added that regional Sanskrit Rupaka Festivals are being held across India, with winners set to perform at the All-India Rupaka Festival to be held at Ravindra Bhavan in Bhopal.
The inaugural session concluded with a vote of thanks by Sanandan Kumar Tripathi, and the event was anchored by Jitendra Tiwari.
On the first day of the festival, the Natyashastra Research Center, Bhopal campus, presented a preliminary performance, followed by various plays:
Mantradanam by Ekrasananda Adarsh Sanskrit College, Mainpuri, Uttar Pradesh.
Manjula by Jagadguru Ramanandacharya Rajasthan Sanskrit University, Jaipur.
Deepadanam by Ladevi Sharma Pancholi Adarsh Sanskrit College, Bhilwara.
Dharitreepati Nivarchanam by Central Sanskrit University, Nashik campus.
Mahimamayabharatam by Central Sanskrit University, Jaipur campus.
The first day also featured a mesmerizing Dhrupad recital by Astha and Pradeep Chopra, which captivated the audience. The plays depicted various aspects of society, offering vivid portrayals of contemporary and timeless issues:
Mantradanam illustrated the transformation of a dacoit into a virtuous man.
Dharitreepati Nivarchanam showcased the eternal challenge of selecting a suitable groom for a daughter, a topic still relevant today.
Deepadanam celebrated Rajasthan’s glory and Pannadhay’s devotion to her kingdom.
Manjula highlighted the importance of women’s respect and empowerment.
Mahimamayabharatam narrated the significance of India’s rivers.
These ancient Sanskrit dramas addressed modern-day issues such as women’s empowerment, moral transformation, and environmental consciousness, inspiring awareness among the audience.
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