Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) is all set to organise the Kalidas Festival 2016 in association with Kalidas Mahotsav Samiti, Nagpur from November 20 – 23, 2016. This is the 18th consecutive year of the Kalidas Festival organised by MTDC, starting from the year 1996 in the month of November. The famous Kalidas Festival is celebrated in Nagpur in the memory of the great Sanskrit poet Kalidas and his fabulous work in the field of poetry. Ramtek is known for the place where Kalidas wrote his famous poetries.
The Kalidas Festival will be inaugurated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on November 20 at Nandiwardhan (Nagardhan) Fort in Ramtek followed by three performances by Pt Bhavani Shankar and Uma Shankar, a Kuchipudi dance performance by Bhavana and Yamini Reddy and and a Sufi and folk performance by Padma Guru Bharati Bandhu on the first day of the event at Nagardhan Fort. Amish Tripathi, the author of Indian bestseller ‘The Shiva Trilogy’ will give a talk on his interpretation of Shiva and his imprint on dance and music at Vasantrao Deshpande Hall.
KH Govinda Raj, Managing Director, MTDC said, “The Kalidas festival was first organised by MTDC in the year 1996 to promote Ramtek as a tourist destination. During this festival, a number of dramatists, classical musicians, instrumentalists, dancers and singers visit the state. Travellers coming here during the festival will not only get to know about cultural heritage of Maharashtra but they can explore this region which possesses a varied wildlife and several places of interests. The four day festival aims to boost tourism in the state.”
The performances from November 21 – 23 will be held at Dr. Vasantrao Deshpande Hall from 5 pm onwards. The first day of the event will showcase some finest performances on music and dance by Indian classical musician – Rahul Sharma, classical vocalist – Kalaapini Komkalli, flute presentation by Debopriya and Suchismita Chatterjee, and Mohiniyattam and Kathakali by Dr. Neena Prasad. The final day performance will include semi classical vocal by Rahul and Rohit Mishra and a Kathak performance by Shama Bhate. The event will conclude with a vocal presentation by maestro Pt. Ajoy Chakrovarty.
Swati Kale, General Manager, MTDC said, “Kalidas Festival is celebrated in the honour of world-class poet Kalidas, which is held every year in Nagpur, Maharashtra. It upholds the rich and historic culture of Nagpur, the orange city and also features some of the well known and greatest exponents of dance, drama and music from all over the country. The festival is a tribute to his great contribution towards the field of Indian literature. The focus is to increase tourism in the state and then to promote our culture and rich heritage.”
