Dehradun – As Uttarakhand marks its silver jubilee, the state’s capital will come alive with a vibrant cultural extravaganza titled “Ninad: Himalayan Art, Music and Culture Festival”. The week-long celebration, to be held at the Himalayan Cultural Centre in Dehradun, will showcase the diverse heritage of Himalayan states including Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam. The festival will feature folk dances, traditional music, cuisine, theatre, and panel discussions on regional culture and heritage.
The festival will also witness performances by renowned artists such as Padma Bhushan and Grammy Award winner Pandit Vishwamohan Bhatt, Padma Vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Padma Shri Malini Awasthi, legendary playback singer Suresh Wadkar, flautist Ronu Majumdar, and Uttarakhand’s own folk icon Narendra Singh Negi.
According to Culture Secretary Yugal Kishore Pant, the events will be held in three sessions daily until November 9. The inaugural day, November 1, will open with folk dances, followed by performances from students of Bhatkhande Hindustani Music College, Pauri, and end with musical renditions by Suresh Wadkar. Over the following days, audiences will enjoy traditional dance and music from Himachal, Assam, and Tibet, along with thematic discussions on “Cinema in Uttarakhand”, “Himalayan Theatre”, “Local Languages and Culture”, and “The Legacy of Nanda Rajjat”.
The program will feature instrumental fusions by Pt. Rahul Sharma (santoor), Pt. Harish Gangani (tabla), and classical jugalbandis of flute and violin. Other highlights include the Manipuri Basanta Raas Leela, theatrical performances directed by Dr. Ehsan Bakhsh from NSD, and poetry sessions with celebrated poets like Dr. Hariom Panwar and Vishnu Saxena.
The concluding day, November 9, will showcase traditional folk dances of Garhwal, Kumaon, Jaunsar, and Tharu communities, followed by a special performance by Bhutan’s “Misty Terrace” band.
To enhance public participation, the Culture Department will soon launch the official festival website Ninad, and seat bookings for the events will be available through Space Box.
