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The All-India Bhaskar Rao Nritya and Sangeet Sammelan, one of the most esteemed classical arts festivals in Chandigarh, took place from March 12 to 14 at the Tagore Theatre in Sector 18, organized by Pracheen Kala Kendra.

In a significant development, the festival's 55th edition will also be held in Vadodara on March 21 and 22, marking its first expansion beyond Chandigarh. This Vadodara event is dedicated to Bhaskar Rao Bhakhle, a former faculty member at the Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

This festival serves as a prominent platform for Indian classical music and dance, showcasing the three main forms of classical tradition: gayan (vocal), vadan (instrumental), and nritya (dance). Attendees in Chandigarh enjoyed three evenings filled with classical performances by renowned artists.

The inaugural evening featured a vocal performance by Vidushi Indrani Mukherjee, followed by a Bharatanatyam presentation by Vidushi Vidhya Subramanian and her troupe. The following days included performances from distinguished artists such as Pt Purbayan Chatterjee (sitar), Guru Sharmila Biswas (Odissi dance), Pt Ronu Majumdar (flute), and Pt Nayan Ghosh (tabla), among others.

Sajal Koser, the secretary of Pracheen Kala Kendra, remarked, “The Sammelan has significantly contributed to establishing Chandigarh as a key player on India’s cultural landscape.”

Koser also emphasized the extensive reach of the institution, which boasts over 3,800 affiliated organizations across India and internationally, with more than 300,000 students participating in its examinations. Looking ahead, Koser mentioned plans to incorporate theatre and Western classical music into the festival, along with the development of a Centre for Cultural Excellence.