Dehradun: The second day of Ninad 2025 at the Himalayan Culture Centre came alive with vibrant regional music and dance. The event began with a lively performance by Puran Bora and his troupe from Almora, who presented the traditional Chholiya dance accompanied by the rhythmic beats of the Hudka. The open-air theatre program was inaugurated by Deputy Director Ashish Kumar, who lit the ceremonial lamp.
Following this, Ila Pant and her team from Nrityangan Sansthan, Dehradun presented an emotional dance drama titled Gangavataran, depicting the divine descent of the River Ganga and the spiritual significance of the Himalayas. This opening performance filled the atmosphere with devotion and reverence.
The first inter-state presentation was given by Gopal Singh’s troupe from Sirmaur, Himachal Pradesh. Their performance featured the Shathi Panasaai dance, portraying scenes between supporters of the Kauravas and Pandavas with bows and arrows. This was followed by the Khoda dance, where women artists balanced brass pots with lit lamps on their heads, while the male dancers’ plate-spinning acts drew loud applause from the audience. The group is affiliated with the National Cultural Art Centre, Patiala, and has represented India several times both nationally and internationally.
Next came a captivating performance by the Parvatiya Cultural and Literary Art Committee, Pithoragarh, which brought to life the folk plays Hiljatra and Lakhiyabhoot. Originating from Kumod village in Pithoragarh, Hiljatra is a dance associated with paddy transplantation — the word Hil meaning “wet” and Jatra meaning “journey.” The character of Lakhiyabhoot, considered a companion of Lord Shiva, attracted everyone’s attention through his dynamic movements. Through his special dance, Lakhiyabhoot is believed to bless the people with prosperity, happiness, and abundance.
Sunday also marked the opening of the National Art Workshop – Divya Himalaya, where artists from Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Uttarakhand showcased the scenic beauty, culture and traditions of the Himalayas through their artwork.
Renowned artists including Akram Khan, K.S. Gill, Dharmendra Sharma, Dr. O.P. Mishra, Santosh Sahni, Zakir Hussain, and Prof. Shekhar Joshi displayed their creative excellence. Workshop coordinator Dr. Mamta Singh said that in this Silver Jubilee Year, Ninad has become a strong platform for cultural exchange among the Himalayan states, with participation from painters across regions. Before the workshop began, Culture Secretary Shri Yugal Kishore Pant felicitated all guest artists for their contribution to art and culture.
Panel Discussion – “Cinema in Uttarakhand”
Along with cultural performances, Ninad 2025 also focused on the exchange of ideas through intellectual discussions. In the second session of the day, a panel discussion on “Cinema in Uttarakhand” was organized. The discussion featured noted film actor Hemant Pandey, senior journalist & Bollywood actor Satish Sharma, and Bollywood film director Bhuvan Tamta. They deliberated on the current state and future prospects of the film industry in Uttarakhand.
The panel concluded that although some notable films have been produced in the past despite limited resources, the government’s increasing encouragement for filmmaking is paving the way for a promising future for Uttarakhand’s cinema. The session also analyzed reasons for the slow growth of regional cinema and emphasized the need for stronger infrastructure and grassroots-level efforts in the fields of film and acting.
The second day evening of the festival began with the soulful singing of Coke Studio fame Kamla Devi. She narrated an excerpt from the romantic ballad of Rajula–Malushahi, which was warmly received by the audience. Later, her powerful rendition of Gangnath Jagar had everyone dancing in joy. Culture Secretary Yugal Kishore Pant honored her with a shawl and memento.
The Himalayan Auditorium was packed to capacity as people flocked to hear the legendary folk singer
Narendra Singh Negi. Tourism Secretary Dilip Jawalkar and Culture Secretary Yugal Kishore Pant, along with Negi ji, jointly lit the ceremonial lamp. Negi began his performance with the Char Dham Stuti and continued with popular numbers like Baba Dudhadhari, Phool Phyoli Bolu Ya Gulab Bolu and Thando Re Thando, leaving the audience spellbound. On this occasion, folk singer Anil Bisht also received huge applause for his song Mera Bajuranga. The program was skillfully conducted by Ganesh Khugshal Gani.
Renowned santoor maestro Vivek Kumar Ray and his team offered a mesmerizing performance that gave the evening a unique charm. They beautifully blended Western and Indian classical music, creating enchanting melodies. Accompanying him were Sachin Shankar on tabla, Mayank Raina on flute, Ashwin on keyboard, and Deepak Kumar on pads. The department felicitated these guest artists as well.
