Kolkata: Ramayana Kala Utsav, an initiative by Prabha Khaitan Foundation will take place between 7th to 9th April 2023 in Ayodhya. It is a special and unique event. Thinkers, writers, artists and cultural workers of national and international fame will participate in this 3-day festival.
The aim of this event is to celebrate Maryada Purushottam Shri Ram, Shri Ram Charit, characters of Ramayana and Ramayug and the art, culture and ideals of Ramayana.
Hriday Narayan Dixit, Uday Pratap Singh, Asha Prabhat, Malini Awasthi, Dr Sachchidanada Joshi, Anand Neelakantan, Kavita Kane, Anant Vijay, Yatindra Mishra and Koral Dasgupta are among the eminent architects, who will be part of it.
Apart from these celebrities, artists who will light up the cultural evening with their performances include Dr Sonal Mansingh and Shinjini Kulkarni. The local artists would also grace the ‘Ramayana Kala Utsav’ with their performances.
Well-known author Anand Neelakantan says about ‘Ramayana Kala Utsav, “It is fascinating to see a Ramayana festival happening in Ayodhya. What could be more appropriate than celebrating Ramayana in the holy city from where it all began? Looking forward to participating in this event.”
“Ayodhya represents the spiritual soul of India, a symbol of India’s rich cultural heritage, a testament to the wisdom and resilience of our ancestors and a source of inspiration for future generations. Ramayan Kala Utsav, organised by the Prabha Khaitan Foundation is a first of its kind. And a unique celebration of the written word is a tribute to the power of storytelling. It is an opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of Indian literature.” – Deepa Mishra, Ehsaas Woman of Lucknow.
“The Ramayana, for a lot of us is more than just a story; it is a way of life that teaches us important lessons about courage, perseverance, and the triumph of good over evil. As we come together to organize this unique festival in Ayodhya, we are honored to bring together authors and artists who have dedicated their lives to studying, writing, and narrating the many different versions of this beloved tale. We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase this rich cultural heritage and share it with millions around the world. Together, we will create a truly unforgettable event that celebrates the power and beauty of the Ramayana,” said Aarti Gupta, Ehsaas Woman of Kanpur.
Manisha Jain, the Branding & Communication chief of the foundation added, “Along with discussions and talks, every evening of ‘Ramayana Kala Utsav’ will be buzzing with a cultural program, in which famous artists will show their respect for the life-festival of Shri Ram, his inspiration and ideals and messages through their performances.”
It will organised with the support of Ehsaas Women of Kanpur and Lucknow. Sahitya Akademi is the Knowledge Partner.
Under ‘Apni Bhasha Apne Log’ campaign, the foundation organises various programs such as ‘Kalam’ in Hindi; ‘The Write Circle’ in English; ‘Lafz‘ in Urdu, Arabic and Persian; ‘Aakhar,’ ‘Kitab‘ in other Indian languages; apart from ‘Sur and Saaz‘ and ‘Ek Mulakat‘ for art, music and culture.
The purpose of organising these programs is the foundation’s aim to strengthen and popularise Hindi and other Indian languages along with our mother tongue. Through these programs, Prabha Khaitan Foundation provides a platform for the writers, artists and literature lovers associated with the field of literature, culture and arts to connect with each other through direct dialogue.
Through its programs, the foundation, apart from the highly established and prestigious figures, giving opportunities to young writers and artists who are talented. It is also strengthening their language as well as culture through their art and writing. The foundation is also active in gender equality and women empowerment. It is in collaboration with individuals, organisations active in this field to provide awareness, innovation, new training and opportunities.
