Nagpur: The seventh evening of the ‘Khasdar Sanskrutik Mahotsav 2025’ unfolded like a living tapestry of India’s folk spirit at the expansive Ishwar Deshmukh College grounds in Hanuman Nagar. Sanskar Bharti’s sweeping production “Mitti ke Rang: A musical and dance saga of India’s folk culture” transformed the venue into a pulsating arena of colour, rhythm and emotion.
Close to 1,000 artistes, singers, instrumentalists and dancers took over the stage in an extraordinary spectacle that held the massive crowd captive. Thunderous applause rolled through the venue as one vibrant tableau gave way to another.
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14 Oct 2025
The evening opened with Sanskar Bharti’s signature invocation, after which the journey across India’s folk traditions began. Uttarakhand set the tone with its devotional renditions “Namo Namo Ji Shankara” and “Tumhe Dil Mein Basaya”, creating a serene spiritual ambience. The gentle mood quickly shifted as Assam’s high-spirited Bihu performers burst onto the stage, infusing the night with irresistible energy.
The cultural caravan continued with Rajasthan’s elegant Ghoomar, Odisha’s expressive Sambalpuri dances and Bengal’s soft, poetic “Phaguner Komalo Sundori”. Karnataka’s rustic ‘Kadulu’, Braj’s playful ‘Hori’ celebrations and Punjab’s ever-energetic ‘Giddha’ further enriched this sweeping cultural panorama.
Maharashtra’s own traditions brought the crowd to its feet, the thunder of dhol-tasha, and performances like “Vesavichi Paaru”, “Latpat” and “Gadavar Gad Sambal” sent waves of enthusiasm across the grounds.
For the finale, the all-time classic “Mile Sur Mera Tumhara” rose powerfully through the air, a fitting tribute to India’s unity in diversity, and a moment that seemed to weave together every colour and rhythm showcased through the night.
The grand production was envisioned by Gajanan Ranade, Amar Kulkarni and Anand Maste, with coordination by Avanti Kate, Shrikant Dhabadgaokar and Kunal Anandam. Music directors Moreswar Dashsahastra and Atharva Shesh shaped the sonic landscape, the script was penned by Ashutosh Adoni, and the narration was brought alive by Shraddha Bhardwaj and Sunny Prasad.
Earlier, the evening commenced with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony led by Union Minister and festival founder Nitin Gadkari, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule, Sanskar Bharti Vidarbha President Kanchan Gadkari, industrialists and dignitaries. The Gajavakra dhol-tasha troupe set an energetic prelude to the performances. The event was compered by Bal Kulkarni and Renuka Deshkar.
