Lucknow: Artists enthralled audiences at the 63rd foundation day of the UP Sangeet Natak Akademi with a cultural programme titled ‘Dharohar’ at Sant Gadgeji Maharaj Auditorium here on Friday. Organised by the Akademi and the state culture department, the event was attended by chief minister Yogi Adityanath as chief guest and marked the institution’s establishment on Nov 13, 1963, celebrating Uttar Pradesh’s artistic traditions.The evening’s highlight was a musical performance by Padma Shri awardee Malini Awasthi, who presented popular folk compositions including ‘sohar bajat awadh men baje badhaiya’, ‘railiya bairan’ and ‘nimiya ke daar maiya’, drawing wide appreciation.Winners from the Akademi’s regional music competition also performed, featuring Shivansh Singh on vichitra veena, Anshul Tukwar on sarangi, Soham Mishra on tabla, Vaibhav Ramdas on pakhawaj and Arthav Pratap Singh on flute. The Kathak Kendra troupe presented ‘Vande Mataram’, and a documentary tracing the Akademi’s 63-year journey was screened.The programme included a Chhota Khayal in drut laya in Raga Yaman, followed by ‘Payo Ji Maine Ram Ratan Dhan Payo’ and ‘Chandni Chhipi Chhipi Jaihon Atariya’. Exhibitions showcased endangered instruments, gharanas, paintings, rangoli and displays by the UP State Museum and Directorate of Archaeology. Akademi chairperson Prof Jayant Khot delivered the welcome address.
