The Megh Malhar Festival 2025, a vibrant celebration of arts and culture, took place at the Premchand Rangshala on Saturday. The festival, organized jointly by the Department of Art, Culture, and Youth and the Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir, commenced with a traditional lamp-lighting ceremony, signifying the beginning of the cultural extravaganza. The atmosphere was charged with spirituality as the audience resonated with the mantra ‘Tamaso ma jyotirgamaya’, and the first performance set the tone for an evening of artistic brilliance.
Rahul Rajak, a Kathak dancer from Katihar, captivated the audience with his interpretation of the Madhurashtakam, composed by Acharya Vallabhacharya and directed and voiced by the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj. His performance showcased the divine sweetness of Lord Krishna, adding to the festival’s spiritual depth. He then brought the monsoon season to life with ‘Ghantaghor Badal’ and evoked the feelings of separation through his Kathak on Kajri.
Ali Khan and his ensemble, representing Rajasthan, enriched the festival with the spirit of hospitality, performing the welcoming song ‘Padharo Mare Desh’. Their melodic voices and rhythms resonated with the audience. The group further delighted the audience with Rajasthani folk dances to the tunes of popular songs.
The festival concluded with a showcase of Bihar’s rich cultural heritage. Chandni Shukla and her team from Purnia mesmerized the audience with their performance. They commenced with a song composed by the great Maithili poet Vidyapati, after which they showered Bhojpuri and Maithili folk songs, spreading the fragrance of the soil of Bihar. Also, the artists of Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir concluded the program in a devotional manner by dancing on the hymns of Harihar and Shri Hari.