CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The third and final day of Vishwarang 2025, organized by Rabindranath Tagore University, began with a spiritual and soothing musical meditation. In the morning’s Mangalacharan, Madhya Pradesh’s young and renowned sitar player Aniruddh Joshi enchanted the auditorium with his graceful and captivating performance, filling the atmosphere with divinity. The melodious strains of the sitar not only connected the audience to the depths of Indian classical tradition but also added cultural grandeur to the beginning of the day. Accompanying him on the tabla, Manoj Patidar elevated the presentation through his rhythmic mastery and intricate beat patterns. This musical start infused the final day of Vishwarang with enthusiasm, energy, and curiosity for enriching dialogues ahead.
Following the musical beginning, the first intellectual session featured Saurabh Dwivedi, Editor of India Today and Lallantop. Through Vedantic aphorisms like “Pragyānam Brahma” and “Tat Tvam Asi,” he discussed in detail the concepts of learning and self-development. He questioned whether a human being remains merely a product of their environment or whether they can continuously shape themselves anew. He emphasized that once learning stops, growth halts—and that the expansion of the mind is possible only when guided by doubt, curiosity, and experience. He encouraged students to develop the art of listening, expose themselves to diverse ideas, and value scientific thinking. His address also included moving references such as the incident of a man held hostage in Dindori, highlighting harsh social realities.
In the afternoon session, an interactive conversation with renowned actress Sanya Malhotra became a major attraction for students and young art enthusiasts. In the discussion with Pro-Chancellor Dr. Aditi Chaturvedi Vats and Vikas Awasthi, Sanya described acting as a “continuous practice” and emphasized understanding the emotional and psychological framework of a character to portray it authentically. She explained that rewriting scripts, observing locations associated with the character, and constant practice help an actor nurture sensitivity. Sharing experiences related to national awards, she said that rejection and struggle strengthen an artist, while education gives them the perspective that deepens their craft.
Next, scholar and renowned author Devdutt Pattanaik presented profound insights on the true meaning of the word “mythology,” the concept of “mithya,” and the role of curiosity in knowledge and science. He stated that myths are a way to understand the world and that doubt opens the door to knowledge, not blind faith. Highlighting the essence of shastrartha—the pursuit of knowledge—he remarked that when debates turn heated, goddess Saraswati departs.
Parallel sessions also witnessed intense and meaningful discussions. At the Anjani Auditorium, during the session on “The Web of Images in Media and the Changing Social Perspective,” Sumit Awasthi shared insightful views on the challenges of journalism in the digital era, the fast pace of social media, fake news, and the responsibility of consumers. At the Aadirang Auditorium, in a session on “Endangered Languages,” Dr. Snehlata Negi described language as a repository of community memory and stated that the loss of a language is akin to the disappearance of countless cultural traditions.
Meanwhile, at the Tagore Children’s Art Workshop, the creativity of children blossomed through colors, shapes, and imagination. Activities like clay modeling, painting, and printmaking encouraged artistic sensitivity and freedom of expression among the children.
In the session on “Language Technology and Indian Languages,” international experts assessed the possibilities and challenges for Indian languages in the digital future. In the “Meet the Author” session, Dr. Gyan Chaturvedi shared his thoughts on satire, power, society, and the discipline of writing. Other sessions featured insightful discussions on non-fiction literature, women’s identity, and Indian philosophical thought.
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