The Yogi government has initiated a unique training program for children in nine traditional disciplines, aimed at preserving and promoting cultural heritage. A total of 600 students are receiving specialized training in Awadhi folk singing, folk dance, Mashkbeen, magic, rangoli, Dhedhiya dance, Braj folk dance, and bhajan. This initiative, currently underway in Lucknow and Mahakumbh Nagar, is a significant step toward nurturing young talent and sustaining the state’s rich cultural traditions.
The Yogi government is providing an international platform at Mahakumbh, not just for Bollywood and international artists but also for talented school children. The Culture Department is conducting specialized training in nine disciplines at nine Prayagraj colleges, concluding on January 22, before these students showcase their talents at the event.
Specialized training in various cultural disciplines is being provided across Prayagraj colleges, including, Awadhi folk singing at Shri Krishna Degree College; Mashkbeen at Madan Mohan Malviya Inter College; magic at Brajmangal Singh Inter College; Awadhi folk song/dance at RP Inter College; folk singing at Sarvodaya Shiksha Sadan Inter College; Dhedhiya dance at Kamala Smarak Inter College; Braj folk dance at Radha Raman Mahila Inter College; Bhajan and folk singing at Government Girls’ Inter College; and Rangoli at RNT Inter College.
Renowned trainers from Uttar Pradesh are leading the cultural training sessions: Shiv Pujan Shukla (Ayodhya) trains in Awadhi folk singing while Santosh (Kaushambi) and Vedanand (Prayagraj) provide Mashqabin training;
Aftab and Suresh Ji (Lucknow) teach magic whereas Kusum Verma (Lucknow) offers Awadhi folk song/dance training.
Similarly, Upma Pandey (Ambedkar Nagar) instructs in folk singing while Anand Kishore (Prayagraj) trains children in Dhedhiya dance. Neetu Singh (Mathura) teaches Braj folk dance and Manoj Gupta (Prayagraj) trains in bhajan/folk singing. Jyoti Ratan (Lucknow) provides Rangoli training.
This extensive training program is being conducted jointly by the Culture Department and the colleges, with principals overseeing the initiative. These young talents, trained in Uttar Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage, will be key contributors to the vibrant cultural displays at Mahakumbh, showcasing their skills on a grand stage.
