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New Delhi : Union Ministry of Culture has taken up unique initiatives to promote the spirit of Unity in Diversity and  Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat as part of  Republic Day 2022 celebrations. Two key mega programmes designed by the Ministry of Culture for the occasion  include Vande Bharatam-the Nritya Utsav, and Kala Kumbh.

This was stated by Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Govind Mohan, in an interaction programme with the production team of the grand Vande Bharatam show which to be presented at the Republic Day programme at Rajpath on January 26, 2022. He said that the Vande Bharatam show has been produced with the help of reputed choreographers, celebrated music composers, and famous creative designers. This year the Republic Day is falling within the celebratory period of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav and this is an immense opportunity to showcase the Indian culture as a soft power,

He further said that Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav will instil pride among the people and propel the youth to think what India will be in 2047. Highlighting the freedom struggle and tales of valor of unsung heroes is a very important component of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav which is being celebrated in Jan Bhagidari mode, Secretary Mohan added.

The scrolls installed at the Rajpath and created under Kala Kumbh are a magnificent presentation of the struggles of freedom and tales of unsung heroes , he explained. Vande Bharatam- the dance extravaganza and the gigantic and spectacular scrolls created under ‘Kala Kumbh’ will be one of the star attractions of the Republic Day 2022 programme at Rajpath, Mohan said, according to a PIB release.

On the occasion, Director General , NGMA  Adwaita Gadanayak; Joint Secretary Ministry of culture Amita Prasad Sarabhai , OSD (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav) Ratnesh Kumar Jha , four renowned choreographers : Rani Khanam,  Maiyetree Pahari, Tejaswini Sathe,, and Santosh Nair,; famous  Musicians Bickram Ghosh and Ricky Kej, and creative designer Sandhya Raman were among those present at the programme.

An All India level competition Vande Bharatam was organised and 480 dancers were declared as winners from the Grand Finale and they will perform on the Republic Day Parade to be held at Rajpath, New Delhi on January 26, 2022. Speaking at the event,  the choreographers said that they felt overwhelmed to be part of the Vande Bharatam and it was a very enriching experience guiding the young dancers.

Under Kala Kumbh initiative, 750 m long scrolls have been painted by local artists drawn from different regions and portray the tales of valour of unsung heroes of freedom struggle. Briefing about the initiative DG, NGMA, Adwaita Gadanayak, said that Kala Kumbh reflects the essence of unity in diversity and the scrolls have been painted with the collaborative effort of more than 600 artists. He also said that coming together of contemporary, indigenous, traditional artists on one platform is an achievement in itself. There will be a travelling exhibition or Yatra of the  scrolls to various parts of the country after the R-Day, he added.