CNN Central News & Network–ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: The seventh edition of the International Literature and Arts Festival ‘Vishwarang 2025’ was inaugurated with great grandeur at the Ravindra Bhavan campus in Bhopal. The ceremony was attended by Hon’ble Governor Mangubhai Patel, former President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun, Chancellor of Rabindranath Tagore University and Director General of Vishwarang Dr. Santosh Choubey, Chancellor of SGSU Siddharth Chaturvedi, Co-director of Vishwarang Dr. Aditi Vats Chaturvedi, and many eminent writers, scholars, and cultural representatives from India and abroad. During the inaugural event, the ‘Vishwarang Hindi Report’ and ‘Vishwaranjan Clause’ were released. Furthermore, distinguished creators Mamata Kalia, Harish Meenashru, Chandrabhanu Khyal, H.N. Shivaprakash, Laxman Gaikwad, and Paresh Narendra Kamat were honored with the ‘Vishwarang Honorary Award’. A special philatelic release by the Indian Postal Department based on the seventh chapter of Vishwarang added further prestige to the festival.

The inaugural addresses became the intellectual center of the entire event. In his profound and insightful speech, Dr. Santosh Choubey said that Vishwarang is not merely a festival of literature and art, but a vibrant platform of civilization, harmony, multilingualism, and global goodwill, which elevates India’s cultural self-confidence and creative consciousness to new heights.

Former President of Mauritius Prithvirajsing Roopun spoke about the global potential of Indian languages and their sensitive perspectives, saying that Indian literature offers the world a unique vision of human sensitivity and cultural balance.

Hon’ble Governor Mangubhai Patel, in his address, described literature and culture as forces that define the moral direction of society. He praised Vishwarang and called it a strong cultural bridge between Indian tradition and modern thought.

Co-director Dr. Aditi Vats Chaturvedi, explaining the concept of the Honorary Award, stated that this honor is not only a recognition of individual creators but also a celebration of the richness of Indian languages and global cultural unity, which expands the intellectual horizon of Vishwarang. These speeches collectively elevated the opening day, giving it intellectual depth, cultural dignity, and an inspiring orientation toward international dialogue.

After the traditional welcome and lamp lighting, melodious Bengali music presented by Shrubato and his team infused the inaugural session with a gentle, artistic, and deeply cultural atmosphere. A short film presented afterward showcased the creative journey and global identity of Vishwarang across its seven chapters.

Before the inauguration, a grand procession filled the festival’s ambiance with vibrant celebration. Cultural groups from Assam, Manipur, Tripura, Meghalaya, Punjab, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and various foreign regions participated in their traditional attire, music, and folk rhythms, bringing India’s cultural diversity to life. Folk dances such as Bihu, Rajwadi, Ada, Khada, Matki, and Garba filled the entire venue with energy, enthusiasm, and the sweetness of folk music. The Baul and Rabindra Sangeet performances offered near the statue of Rabindranath Tagore lent a spiritual aura to the procession, transforming it from a cultural event into an emotional experience.

The exhibition set up in the Ravindra Bhavan complex attracted large crowds on the very first day. Assam handloom, traditional jewelry, the Manipur Festival, the Malwa Matki dance tradition, and folk costumes, heritage, handicrafts, and traditional cuisines from Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Bihar showcased the profound depths of Indian culture. A historical exhibition based on newspaper headlines from the last 100 years, an exhibition on indentured labor history, and displays of India’s knowledge systems through rishi and scientific traditions also caught special attention.

Performance by Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra

Dance depiction of Lord Krishna’s divine pastimes mesmerizes the audience

Shriram Bharatiya Kala Kendra is renowned for presenting mythological stories—be it the Ramayana or other ancient epics. Continuing this legacy, the center brings alive a 3,000-year-old narrative of Krishna on stage through its dance drama ‘Krishna’, now in its 48th edition.

In Bhopal, at the open-air stage of Ravindra Bhavan, the dance production portrayed the entire journey of Krishna—from his birth to his role in the Mahabharata. The performers’ costumes and Indian dance styles beautifully depicted every aspect of Lord Krishna’s life. The two-and-a-half-hour performance, filled with captivating dance sequences, left the audience spellbound.

The aim of this production has always been to integrate Indian traditions and beliefs in a way that makes them relevant to contemporary culture. Like many chapters of Indian mythology, the Krishna narrative is woven with stories, myths, and mysticism, but it is primarily regarded as imparting practical wisdom for everyday life. Using traditional Indian dance forms such as Mayurbhanj Chhau and Kalaripayattu, the Kendra depicts every element of Krishna’s life—from his birth to his role in the great epic Mahabharata.

Directed by Padma Shri Shobha Deepak Singh, the dance drama ‘Krishna’ expresses the fundamental truths of life, resonating with essential simplicity as preached by Lord Krishna. These truths are intricately woven into countless anecdotes, serving as a continuous source of inspiration in both traditional and contemporary contexts. With remarkable precision, her vision brings every aspect of Krishna’s incarnation to life, infusing the performance with a captivating vitality. The interplay of exceptional choreography, lighting, costumes, sound, technical finesse, and atmospheric depth creates a backdrop that touches the audience’s hearts. Amidst the turbulence shown on stage and the metaphorical chaos of life, a ray of supreme peace emerges—overcoming all obstacles.

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