‘Phagwa Brij Mein Dekhan Ko Chalo Ri’ Mesmerizes the Audience
Udaipur, February 28 – The three-day ‘Ritu Vasant’ festival, organized by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur, commenced on Friday evening at Shilpgram’s Mukta Kashi Rangmanch with an enthralling cultural extravaganza.
Renowned classical vocalist Pandit Rajendra Vaishnav captivated the audience with Raag Basant, setting the perfect tone for the arrival of spring. His melodious voice, coupled with the richness of Raag Basant, evoked a deep sense of musical reverence, making the season’s onset a truly soulful experience.
Adding to the grandeur, Nadroop Pune, a Kathak ensemble led by the legendary guru Shama Bhate, showcased an exquisite dance presentation set to the melodic notes of Raag Basant. Their fluid expressions and graceful movements brought alive the essence of Vasant, leaving the audience spellbound.
The festival’s opening night celebrated Mewar’s deep-rooted cultural heritage, drawing art lovers and cultural patrons to witness an unforgettable blend of music and dance.
A Tribute to Brij Holi through Raag Basant
Pandit Rajendra Vaishnav commenced the evening with the evocative composition “Phagwa Brij Mein Dekhan Ko Chalo Ri, Phagwe Mein Milenge Kunwar Kanh Se.” Through Madhyalaya Teen Taal, he beautifully portrayed the joyous anticipation of sakhis (female companions) as they set out to witness Brij’s grand Holi and meet Lord Krishna.
Continuing the musical journey, he delivered soul-stirring renditions of “Phulwa Binat Daar-Daar” and “Gokul Ke Sab Kumhar, Chandravadan Chamak Badir”, perfectly capturing the vibrancy of spring.
His performance was elevated by the impeccable accompaniment of:
🎶 Anupraj Purohit on Harmonium
🥁 Master Kapil Vaishnav on Tabla
🎼 Dimpy Suhalka and Vishal Rathore on Tanpura
Nadroop Pune’s Kathak Tarana: A Celebration of Spring through Dance
Renowned Kathak exponent Shama Bhate, along with her dance troupe Nadroop Pune, enchanted the audience with a stunning Kathak Tarana set in Raag Basant. Their performance seamlessly fused traditional Kathak techniques with contemporary choreography, depicting the spirit of Vasant with poetic fluidity.
With delicate hand gestures, rhythmic footwork, and expressive storytelling, the dancers breathed life into the soul of Indian classical dance. The choreography was a harmonious blend of heritage and innovation, reflecting Shama Bhate’s artistic brilliance.
The evening also featured a spectacular Holi-themed Kathak presentation, where dancers expressed the joy and festivity of Holi through intricate footwork, graceful chakkars (spins), and emotive expressions. The sequence, choreographed on traditional Hori compositions, showcased the playful and divine love of Radha and Krishna.
🎭 Notable sequences included:
✔ Dasavatar Presentation – A depiction of Lord Vishnu’s ten incarnations.
✔ Bhairavi Chaturang – A mesmerizing composition interweaving Tarana, Sahitya, Sangam, and dance bols.
✔ Choreography by: Guru Shama Bhate
✔ Music by: Narendra Bhide & Kedar Pandit
✔ Lighting by: Anup Joshi
The audience showered overwhelming appreciation, making this evening a true tribute to India’s classical arts.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.