Vice President To Inaugurate 38th Pune Festival On September 18

The 38th edition of the Pune Festival, a 12-day celebration of art, culture, music, dance, literature, sports and tourism, will be inaugurated by Vice President of India CP Radhakrishnan on September 18. The festival will be held from September 14 to 25 alongside the city’s Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav celebrations.

The inauguration will take place at 4:30 pm at Shree Ganesh Kala-Krida Rangmanch, Swargate. Several dignitaries, including Maharashtra Governor Jishnu Dev Varma, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, and Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, are expected to attend the event.

The festival logo was unveiled during a press conference on Friday, where Pune Festival President Krishnakumar Goyal made the announcement. The 38th edition is being dedicated to the memory of its founder-president and former Pune MP Suresh Kalmadi. A nine-minute film highlighting his contribution to the festival will be screened during the inauguration.

The festival will feature several cultural programmes, including Sufi music, Kerala Mahotsav, Hindi Hasya Kavi Sammelan, Marathi Bana, and MHJ Live. Programmes will also be held at Balgandharva Rangmandir and Yashwantrao Chavan Natyagruha, along with exhibitions and sporting competitions.

The inaugural ceremony will feature a shehnai recital by Tukaram Daithankar, Ganesh Vandana, Maharashtra Sanman Geet, and cultural presentations by students from Symbiosis International University. A special presentation, ‘Chak De India’, will celebrate the achievements of Indian women’s cricket, while ‘Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje’ will mark filmmaker V Shantaram’s 125th birth anniversary.

The festival will also honour eminent personalities with the Pune Festival Awards. The Suresh Kalmadi Pune Festival Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to actor Mohan Joshi. All Pune Festival programmes are free and open to the public.

The festival will feature a range of special programmes, including Sufi Music on September 19, Kerala Mahotsav on September 20, Hindi Hasya Kavi Sammelan on September 20, Marathi Bana on September 21, and MHJ Live on September 22.

The Pune Festival is a significant event in the city’s cultural calendar, showcasing the rich diversity of Indian art, culture, and music. With its range of programmes and events, the festival is expected to attract a large audience from across the city and beyond.

The festival’s dedication to the memory of Suresh Kalmadi is a fitting tribute to his contribution to the city’s cultural scene. The screening of a film highlighting his contribution to the festival will serve as a reminder of his legacy and the impact he had on the city’s cultural landscape.

In conclusion, the 38th edition of the Pune Festival promises to be a grand celebration of art, culture, music, dance, literature, sports, and tourism. With its range of programmes and events, the festival is expected to be a major success, attracting a large audience from across the city and beyond.

The significance of the Pune Festival lies in its ability to bring people together, showcasing the rich diversity of Indian art, culture, and music. The festival’s focus on promoting cultural exchange and understanding is a testament to the city’s commitment to preserving and promoting its cultural heritage.

Overall, the 38th edition of the Pune Festival is an event not to be missed, offering something for everyone. With its range of programmes and events, the festival is expected to be a major success, attracting a large audience from across the city and beyond.