RSS Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Bhagwat addressing the event
The “Akhil Bharatiya Kalasadhak Sangam”, organised by Sanskar Bharati, was held at Sri Sri Ravi Shankar International Centre, Bengaluru. This Sangam was attended by over 2,500 artists representing all parts of the country. During the four-day event, from Feb 1 to Feb 4, the participating artists and the organisers and the prominent guests shared their views, ideas and future plans, challenges and responsibilities of arts and artists in renewing the glory of Bharat. Along with deliberations, the participants displayed their artistic skills to highlight social harmony and nationalism spirit, showcasing Bharat’s vibrancy.
The inaugural event was held on February 1 in the presence of Maharaja Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar of Mysore and Maharaja Krishadevaraya of Vijayanagar. In addition, Padmashree Manjamma Jogti, famous tabla player Pandit Ravindra Yavagal, National President of Sanskar Bharati and famous painter Vasudev Kamat, and General Secretary and Surbahar players Ashwin Dalvi and Manjunath were present.
On the first day, Padmashri Manjamma Jogti praised Sanskar Bharati’s efforts and described the confluence of art seekers from every State of the country as an important point. He said that art is never personal; it is presented for society. This is not business but a sequence to continue the change and spread of culture. Along with this, he also encouraged third gender society, delineated its role in art and its increasing role in society.
Maharaja Krishnadevraya of Vijaynagar Empire asserted that restoration of all the historical temples of Vijay Nagar was his priority and spoke about the local historical and cultural importance. He also called upon today’s generation to join this work and thanked Sanskar Bharati for its efforts in maintaining cultural diversities in the art sector.
Maharaja Yudhveer of the Mysore Empire described the land of Karnataka as home to all Bharatiya traditions and cultures and urged the artists to know the history and art of Karnataka to understand the idea of Bharat.
Talking about the North-South conflict going on in the centre of the country, Maharaja Yudhveer said that every Bharatiya may not speak Kannada, but every Kannadiga is a Bharatiya.
Renowned tabla player Pandit Ravindra Yagvagal praised the experiments being done in the field of art by Sanskar Bharati across the country and described it as a milestone.
Talking about the historical role of art in national awakening, he described art practitioners as a means to unify the country.
During his presidential address, Shri Vasudev Kamat explained the practicality of imagining life without art. He said that art is not just for entertaining people; if there is a combination of thought and culture in that art, then its message is effective and can succeed in its goal. At the end of his address, he appealed to establish the programmes and ideological sessions held in this Kala Sadhak Sangam in the temple of his heart.
While presenting his speech, All India General Secretary of Sanskar Bharati, Shri Ashwin Dalvi said that for the last 42 years, it has taken the form of the country’s largest organisation working to awaken national consciousness in the field of art.
Describing “Akhil Bharatiya Kalasadhak Sangam” , he said that it is an event of participation of people across the country, who establish nationalism and social harmony on the national stage through art. The second day of Sanskar Bharati’s “Akhil Bharatiya Kalasadhak Sangam” saw a seminar organised to discuss the role played by arts and literature in shaping social harmony. It saw the participation of Padma Shri Malini Awasthi, RSS Pracharak and Samajik Samarasatha Samyojak Ravindra Korkore, former Lalit Kala Head of Jaipur Dr Indushekhar Tatpurush, popular folk artist Anil Saikia from Assam and Dr Aditi Paswan from Delhi University.
Ravindra Korkore pointed out that it is because of art that even after thousands of years Shri Ram remains relevant and impactful. We find that even in the contemporary context of today, timeless wisdom of Mahabharat provides answers to several questions. Social harmony needs to always focus on equal opportunities, equal contribution and equitable conduct. The pride that our culture invokes in us has seen the contribution of every section of society in building it, propagating it and preserving it. Anil Saikia of Assam dwelled on the role that art has played in the diversity of East India. He stated that art has played a significant role in societal bonding and emphasised that it was the strongest pillar.
In her presentation on Mithila culture, Aditi Narayan of Delhi University showcased the role of various sections and castes. Dr Indu Shekhar, while speaking about social harmony, said that an excellent example in the world of art is Ramayan and Ramcharitra Manas. He called Prabhu Shri Ram as the perfect role model for fostering social harmony.
Padma Shri Malini Awasthi stated that Shri Ram is the soul of the country given the fervour across the country. She said that social harmony is the natural disposition of our culture and diversity is the hallmark of our rich heritage. The role art has played in bringing together people from all walks of life cannot be done by any other medium. The ideal society of Bharat is always centered on unity and social harmony.
The main highlights of day two were the divine renditions of Hindav Sahodara, the musical performance of social harmony chants, folk art and a play on social harmony in the context of Bal Shivaji.
On the third day, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh Sarsanghchalak Dr Mohan Ji Bhagwat presented Bharatmuni Samman to eminent artists Ganapat Sakharam Masge, famous folk artist and Vijay Dashrath Achrekar, well known for his paintings.
Bharatmuni Samman is awarded for the first time as one of its kind initiatives by Sanskar Bharati in recognising and encouraging artists of Bharatiya arts, fine arts and culture. Awards consist of a certificate and cash prize of Rs 1.51 lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Mohan Bhagwat said this is a historic event that happened today, since for the first time an initiative of this kind to recognise and honour the achievers who practice Bharatiya arts and familiarising Bharatiyata to the society is taking place. He described artists as ascetical personalities. Though it has been 75 years since attaining freedom, it took time to ascend the pride of Swa of Swatantra, Bhartiyata of Bharat again among the people, but it is happening slowly. In any field such ascetical personalities working with Bhartiyata were neglected and such negligence has ended now. Bharat will awaken slowly and it shall recognise itself.
Pointing out that arts play a vital role in human life, Sarsanghchalak said the identity of arts is compassion. Without empathy and compassion there can be no arts. Various forms of arts pursue holistic development of a human being since birth, to imbibe compassion, sensitivity and make humans civilised. A human who is not civilised cannot be human at all. He said the association of arts with entertainment is less but it is more related to holistic advancement of human beings. Arts make humans humanistic and so artists ought to be recognised. He further ascertained that arts are efforts of culture. Arts and culture cannot be seen in isolation. He acknowledged the contribution of artists and thanked them for keeping Bhartiyata and Swa alive continuously whereas we are now remembering and recalling them. He appealed to artists to continue such good work so that it is useful to society. Bharatiya arts has the competence and capability to show the path to the world of arts. He added that arts are also used to change the public perception and degrade cultural values.
On the valedictory ceremony, Sanskar Bharati felicitated sculptor Arun Yogiraj, who created Ram Lala idol at Ayodhya and GL Bhat, sculptor.
Sarasanghachalak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh presented Bharatmuni Samman to Ganapat Sakharam Masge, famous folk artist and Vijay Dashrath Achrt78ekar, well known for his paintings.
Dr Mohan Bhagwat said, ‘Art has the responsibility to instill culture in society and educate and update people by providing examples from our past. It is the responsibility of the entire world, which can build an ideal society of Satyam Shivam Sundaram, with all criticisms in place. Bharat has established welfare, equality and harmony in our society using art as a form, despite all critics. We have proven as the saying goes Sarvam Kalvidam Brahma meaning to see everyone as self.”
Sanskar Bharati is leading this medium of art and culture in uniting society. The artists in this Kalasadhak Sangam are aware of this responsibility but a few who are engaged in personal pursuits are to be made aware of this noble work. In our society we have problems and there are questions to be answered, solutions to be worked out for them. Wokeism and cultural Marxism has divided the society from time immemorial, he warned that a handful of people with an ideology are trying to disintegrate the country by building false network for their selfish interests. To be successful in uniting society, many efforts are required, Karyakartas engaged in uniting the society should lead the critics to Satyam Shivam Sundaram. A slew of fake news is circulated these days, Karyakarta without any expectation has to work decimating the fake news.
In his speech, founder of the Art of Living Foundation, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, said, “Our culture is ancient and ever evolving therefore it is called Sanatana. But we were not organised. Adi Shankaracharya had tried to organise the country by touring the entire country and establishing four Peethas in four directions. Now the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh is doing the work of uniting the people. He said that the Sangh’s volunteers reflect the Samskara taught by the Sangh by coming to help immediately in times of emergency in the country. Shakti, Bhakti, Yukti and Mukti are essential in life. Being organised makes us stronger. Many organisations are continuously doing exemplary work in this regard. Strength is also gained from the spirit of achievement. But this power requires devotion. It is a tragedy to see patriotism and godliness as separate. They are like two sides of the same coin. Committed to both, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Sanskar Bharati opined that such organisations are working towards the goal of uplifting the people of the entire world.”
A shory story titled Krishna Kahe was enacted by Mahabharat series fame Nitish Bharadwaj as Shri Krishna and his team emphasising on equality. They presented that varna was based on occupation and it is wrongly perceived as caste. Theatrical demonstration showed every occupation is equally important in preparation of chariot. Shri Krishna appears to his devotees who see equality, practice equality without any kind of discrimination.
Another event of Chhau dance was enacted showing friendship and social harmony in Ramayan. Chhau dance is a tradition from eastern part of Bharat that enacts episodes from epics including the Mahabharata and Ramayana, local folklore and abstract themes.
A painting exhibition organised at the event was inaugurated. Samarasata Yatra was held at the premises of International Centre.
At the Sangam event, books titled Kala Dadhichi Yogendra and Kantigya Amirchand were launched. These are collection of articles written by artists from across the country on the biography and works of Kalarishi Baba Yogendra Ji and Amirchand Ji. Another book titled Samajik Samarasta ki Bodh Kathayein was also launched.
On this occasion, Sanskara Bharati felicitated Padm Vibhushan awardee Dattatray Ambadas Mayaloo Alias Rajdutt, Pamda Shree awardee Romalo Ram, Dogri folk dancer of Jammu and Kashmir, Sri Arun Yogiraj and Sri GL Bhat, sculptors of Ram Lalla idols placed at Ayodhya.
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