Three-Day Festival of the West Zone Cultural Centre from February 28

Udaipur: The West Zone Cultural Centre, Udaipur, will host a three-day cultural festival, *‘Ritu Vasant’*, at Shilpgram to welcome the spring season. The event will take place from February 28 to March 2, and renowned classical music and dance artists will mesmerize the audience with their performances.  

The Director of the Centre, Furkan Khan, informed that the festival will begin on Friday, February 28, with a performance by the famous classical singer Pandit Rajendra Vaishnav from Jodhpur. Following this, the well-known Kathak guru Shama Bhate from Pune will present an exquisite Kathak performance with her group. Shama Bhate, also known as ‘Shama Tai’, is a renowned name in the field of Kathak dance and has been researching and training in both traditional and contemporary styles of Kathak for years.  

On the second day, Saturday, March 1, the renowned classical singer Dr. Praveen Gangkar from Goa will perform. He will be accompanied by Rohidas Parab on tabla, Subhash Feterpekar on harmonium, and Vaseem Khan on sarangi. Afterward, Amit Gangani and his group will present a Kathak dance performance.  

On the final day, Sunday, March 2, the famous classical singer Mohammad Aman Khan from Jaipur will present a classical music performance. This will be followed by a splendid Bharatanatyam performance titled *‘Anand Natyam’* by the renowned dancer Kanak Sudhakar and her troupe from Delhi. *‘Anand Natyam’* is a group Bharatanatyam performance, presented by Kanak Sudhakar and her senior disciples, which portrays the joy of the spring season. The performance was originally presented by the Sunaina Group in New Delhi.

The program will be held daily at 7:00 PM at the open-air stage of Shilpgram. Entry for the public will be free of charge. The *‘Ritu Vasant’* festival will provide music and dance lovers a live experience of India’s rich cultural heritage.  

The artists participating in this cultural festival are all well-known figures in their respective fields. Pandit Rajendra Vaishnav is a renowned classical singer from Jodhpur, recognized for his deep singing and excellent alaap (improvisation). Shama Bhate, the Kathak guru from Pune, is known for presenting Kathak in modern contexts while retaining its traditional essence. Dr. Praveen Gangkar from Goa is famous for his unique style in classical music. Mohammad Aman Khan from Jaipur is a talented artist who continues to carry forward the tradition of classical singing. Kanak Sudhakar from Delhi is an esteemed Bharatanatyam dancer known for her expressive performances and technical expertise. Amit Gangani is a skilled Kathak dancer, renowned for his energy and deep command of rhythm.