Secunderabad: The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, inaugurated the first edition of the Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav at Rashtrapati Nilayam in Secunderabad today. The eight-day festival, running from September 29 to October 6, 2024, is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of the North-East Region (DONER) and the Ministry of Culture, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of India’s North-Eastern states.
The festival highlights the diverse traditions, folk dances, music, art, and traditional attire of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura. Aimed at fostering cultural exchange, Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav seeks to bring the unique heritage of the North-East to the forefront, while also promoting greater interaction between the North-Eastern and southern parts of India.
Speaking at the inauguration, President Murmu emphasized the importance of preserving India’s rich cultural diversity. “It is our collective responsibility to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of our country. The North-Eastern states are home to vibrant traditions and communities, and this festival is an effort to make citizens more familiar with these unique cultures,” the President remarked.
She further expressed optimism that the festival would serve as a cultural bridge, fostering unity between different regions. “This Mahotsav is an opportunity to promote cultural exchange, and I hope it will empower the artisans, artists, and communities of the North-East by bringing their traditions and talents to the national stage,” she added.
The inaugural event was attended by the Governor of Telangana, Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, and the Governors of all eight North-Eastern states, along with the Minister of State for DONER. Their presence underscored the significance of the festival in promoting regional cultural ties and boosting the cultural economy of the North-East.
The Bharatiya Kala Mahotsav will be open to the public from September 29 to October 6, 2024, between 10:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Visitors can book slots by visiting the official website of Rashtrapati Bhavan at https://visit.rashtrapatibhavan.gov.in. On-the-spot bookings will also be available for walk-in visitors.