Students from various colleges and schools performing at the Delhi Youth Festival—Asian Age

The recent “Youth Festival” celebrated in Delhi was an occasion that had all forms of dance and entertainment in one platter. With a blend of classical and contemporary dance forms, sparkling laser and beam show, eye-catching puppet shows and live performances of rock bands, the Youth Festival in Central Park, Delhi, had it all.

Organised by the department of art, culture and languages and Sindhi Academy in association with New Delhi Municipal Council, the six-day festival, from November 20 to 25, encompassed live performances by school students, differently-abled people, professional rock bands and classical and contemporary dancers. The highlight of the festival were the performances by Delhi-based rock bands — Samarpan, The Humble Mystic, Dreamers and Cipher and Astitva — every evening. There were giant colourful puppets on display and brilliant laser shows during and after the performances too.
“We wanted to channelise the energy of the youths in the right direction. By giving chance to kids from NGOs, schools students, disabled children, we wanted to show the diversity of Indian cultural form, which has no discretion,” says Sindhu Mishra, deputy secretary, Sindhi Academy, the organisers.
The first day of the festival had performances by Guru Rajendra Gangani’s disciples, disciples of Sangeeta Sharma, cultural performance by Ability Unlimited Foundation, Hindi rock band Aayudh. It also had laser and beam show and giant puppet shows by Ishara Puppet Theatre.
Commenting on the participation at the Youth Festival Guru Syed S. Pasha, owner of the NGO Ability Unlimited, said, “We have been preparing since a long time for this festival. The disabled children will get enormous support from the audience response. We are thankful to Sathiya Kala Parishad and the Delhi government for giving this opportunity to our NGO.”
The second day of the festival showcased cultural performances by Deepalaya, an NGO working for poor people, Bharatnatyam by Guru G. Elangovan’s discilples, Kathak by Guru Shobhana Narayan’s disciples, classical fusion music performance by the band The Humble Mystic etc.
Band members of The Humble Mystic were happy to perform in this festival as the response, they said, was phenomenal. “We have performed in various stage shows but the response we received here was phenomenal. We would love to perform on such platform again,” said Anirbaan a member of The Humble Mystic band.
The third day of the festival presented classical dance performance by Government Girls Sr. Secondary School, Yamuna Vihar; cultural performances by Centre of Equity Studies, an NGO engaged for the research and advocacy in issues of social justice, Hindi rock and classical music band Samarpan etc.
Highlighting the necessity to give young dancers more platforms like this and that these kind of festivals should be held every three months, Vasav, guitarist and vocalist of Samarpan, said, “Kapil Dev once said, ‘If culture has to be given limelight, we should touch the roots i.e. schools. By giving chance to young students to perform on such a big stage, the Youth Festival has definitely encouraged young children. I would love to perform here every
year.’”
The fourth day of the festival saw performances by students of Sanskriti School, Chanakyapuri and Govt. Sarvodaya Kanya Vidalaya, Jwala Puri; Mohiniattam by Guru Jaya Prabha Menon’s disciples and Bharatnatyam by Guru Saroja Vaidyanathan’s disciples. The performance by children of Prayas, an NGO for unprivileged children, stood out of the crowd and was loved by the audiences.
Commenting on the importance given to unprivileged children, Arun Grover, director of Prayas, said, “People don’t spend too much on NGOs like us. But the organisers of the Youth Festival have done a lot. It was great to see students of public schools and ours sharing the same stage. These kind of events should take place 365 days a year. It will not only help the kids gain confidence but will also help them come out of the TV and computer culture.”
The fifth day of the festival saw performances by Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya No 2, Jama Masjid; classical dance performances by Guru Evur Rajendran Pillai’s disciples and by Guru Kanaka Srinivasan’s disciples and Hindi songs by Cipher.
Dr Prashant Mehta, founder of Cipher, said, “It was a great experience. The youth festival has provided a big exposure to our band. We liked the amphitheatre very much.”
Saying that the youth festival is on the right direction, which will encourage and give youths the needed poise, he said, “It is good that young dancers taking this huge opportunity to show their talent. It’s always better to go outdoors instead of watching TV or playing in the computer.”
The sixth day of the festival saw students of Government Boys Sr. Secondary School, Mahipalpur, Salaam Baalak Trust, St. George School, Alaknanda, classical dance performances by Guru kiran Segal’s disciples, Guru Raja, Radha & Kaushalya Reddy’s disciples and Delhi-based band Astitva taking the stage. The band Astitva performed the Delhi Anthem at the closing ceremony of the festival, titled Salaamat rahe, tu roshan rahe, sabki dua Dilli.
Aayush Gupta, member of Astitva, thanked the Delhi government for giving such a huge opportunity to perform in the festival. “We are overwhelmed by the response of the Delhi audience. Performing for such a prominent event is a prestigious deal for our band,” said Aayush.