By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 24 August: The three-day-long SPIC MACAY state convention, a vibrant celebration of Indian culture and art, concluded today at Unison World School, leaving students captivated by a rich display of artistic performances and enriching workshops.
The final day of the convention began with a mindful yoga workshop. SNA awardee Parvathy Baul’s performance was a highlight, as she harmoniously sang various verses of Krishna Leela. This was followed by a captivating performance by Padma Shri awardee Malini Awasthi, who enthralled the audience with her renditions, including Mother Yashoda awakening Krishna, along with Thumri and Jhula.
The day continued with intensive workshops led by various gurus. Workshops in Tabla, Odissi Dance, Tie & Dye, Patua Painting, Kathak, Carnatic Vocal, Kangra Painting, Kuchipudi, Bharatanatyam, Sikki Grass Craft, Gond Painting, Theatre Play, and Hindustani Vocal were held during the three-day-long convention. These sessions culminated in a performance by students, who showcased the skills they had acquired during the convention.
Reflecting on the event, Chairperson SPIC MACAY Uttarakhand Vidya Vasan said, “We have witnessed three incredible days of art and culture. On the first day, we were graced with a theatrical performance by Naya Theatre of the play ‘Raj Rakt’. The classical performances by Padma Bhushan awardee Vid. Sudha Raghunathan on Carnatic Vocal, where she performed Raag Bihaag and sang various other compositions including Tillana, were appreciated by one and all. This was followed by Padma Bhushan awardee Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt on Mohan Veena, who played Raag Shyam Kalyan, and his Grammy award-winning piece, ‘Meeting by the River,’ which received a standing ovation and left the audience mesmerized.”
Adding further, the National Chairperson of SPIC MACAY, Dr RM Tiwari added, “The second day was equally exciting. It began with Yog Nidra for the participants, followed by a talk session by Dr Arshiya Sethi. In her talk, Dr Sethi emphasized the role of personality development through cultivating respect and dedication toward art. She explained that art goes beyond mere entertainment; it is a form of sadhana, a disciplined and devoted practice. The day featured captivating performances, including intricate footwork and precise rhythmic movement by Kathak Maestro Pt. Deepak Maharaj, the traditional Mukhota dance by the Bhotiya Cultural Art Forum Committee from Uttarakhand, a Hindustani Vocal performance by Pt. Omkar Dadarkar, and a mesmerizing Sitar performance by Pt. Kushal Das.”
Vidya thanked all the artists, participating schools, principals, teachers, and students for their invaluable support in making this convention a success.
Dr Mona Khanna, Principal of Unison World School, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming success of the convention. She extended her heartfelt thanks to all the artists who dedicated their time to be a part of this cultural event. She also thanked the team of SPIC MACAY, including Dr RM Tiwari, Vidya Vasan, Radha Chatterjee, Rupi Mahindru, Anjali Bharthari, and Lalit Mohan Purohit, and a team of dedicated volunteers for their immense support.
During the occasion, renowned Hindustani Vocalist Omkar Dadarkar said, “Teaching Hindustani Classical Vocal to such receptive students has been a rewarding experience. They quickly learned three compositions in Raga Bhimpalasi and showed genuine interest in Indian Classical Music. I believe some of these students have the potential to become vocalists with the right guidance.”
During the three-day convention, students immersed themselves in hands-on workshops, gaining immense knowledge and skills under the guidance of acclaimed gurus. This unique experience allowed them to deeply engage with the art forms, learning directly from masters in a way that was both enriching and transformative.
The program concluded with a heartfelt felicitation of all the gurus, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the convention’s success. Over 2,000 students from various schools and universities across Uttarakhand attended the convention.
