India’s fortune is rivers, and through them, cultural essence remains intact : Smt. Malini Awasthi

The 6^th Nadi Utsav, organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, concluded today at IGNCA, Janpath, New Delhi. Over three days, the festival celebrated rivers as ecological lifelines and cultural reservoirs, blending scholarship, art, and performance to reaffirm the vital bond between communities and rivers.

The festival was inaugurated by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil, and witnessed remarkable participation across its venues—Samvet Auditorium, Umang Conference Hall, Board Room, and Darshanam Gallery. The valedictory session was graced by Shri Gopal Arya, Central Office Secretary of the RSS, as Chief Guest, chaired by Prof. K. Anil Kumar and moderated by Shri Abhay Mishra, Convenor of Nadi Utsav.

Highlights of Nadi Utsav 2025

            •           National Seminar: Over 300 research papers were received, of which 45 were presented, exploring “Riverscape Dynamics: Changes and Continuity”, in collaboration with the University of Delhi.

            •           Cultural & Academic Sessions: Discussions on River in Art, River Gods and Folk Narratives, Science and Rivers, and Traditional Knowledge Systems were complemented by sessions featuring Indian Army veterans, who shared river-related life experiences.

            •           Film Screenings: The festival featured documentaries such as Ek Delhi Yamuna Ki, Kaveri – River of Life, The Lost Melody of Musi, Ladakh – Life Along the Indus, among others, presenting the ecological and emotional heritage of rivers.

            •           Cultural Performances: The event concluded with River Songs of Bengal by Saurav Moni and team, leaving audiences deeply moved.

Smt. Malini Awasthi, in her lecture “Nadi aur Geet”, observed that in our folk songs, rivers are not merely streams of water; they assume the role of a heroine, weaving melodies of love, longing, and separation. Rivers are not only sources of water but flowing streams of culture, faith, and timeless inspiration. It is India’s fortune that we have rivers, and through them, the cultural essence of India remains intact.

Shri Gopal Arya, speaking at the valedictory session, said, Just as the ocean was churned for gems, Nadi Utsav is a churning of rivers from which many cultural and intellectual gems have emerged. A river is not merely movement; it is an integral part of our culture.

Prof. K. Anil Kumar noted that Nadi Utsav honours rivers as both ecological and cultural lifelines, while Shri Abhay Mishra highlighted the festival’s role in bridging tradition and contemporary practices.

Through lectures, research, exhibitions, films, and performances, the 6th Nadi Utsav fostered a renewed dialogue on river conservation, positioning rivers not only as natural resources but as symbols of cultural meaning and social responsibility. The festival concluded with a call to safeguard rivers for future generations, reaffirming their central place in India’s ecological and cultural fabric.