Culture quotient seems on point for the three-day UPGIS extravaganza Performances being staged every few kilometers

Abhishek Awasthi.

Lucknow: The culture component appears to have been on track for the three-day event, with regional traditional performances being presented every few kilometres on the journey to the location of the Uttar Pradesh Global Investors’ Summit (UPGIS) 2023. On Friday, a folk-dance trio comprised of Govind Tiwari of Mathura, Sanjay Kumar of Banda, Ramesh Pal of Banda, and Baby Imram of Jhansi welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other guests at the Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport. “For over a month, the troupes have been feverishly practising for the big day. The airport security team greeted the dignitaries.

Then, in addition to the major site, Vrindavan Yojna, we have folk troupes playing around the city,” said Department of Culture assistant director Reenu Rangbharti. She adds that due to security protocols, the concerts were staged on the outside of the airport and main site.Other than the main venue, ten locations in the city witnessed different folk performances at the same time, including Lucknow airport, Kalidas Marg, VVIP Guest House, 1090 crossing, Samtha Mulak crossing, Lohia Park crossing, Janeshwar Misra Park Gate, Ekana Stadium Bypass, Golf City opening, and Avadh Shilpgram.”We are a group of 15 persons, including five girls,” says Jeevan Ram, who has travelled from Ghazipur to exhibit Rai folklore. My late grandpa Ram Janam performed in 72 countries before dying at the age of 99.” “I have been performing in several locations in India and have also performed in Dubai and Mauritius,” Geet Krishna from Mathura, who performed Mayur folk dance, said.

“It’s always an honour to entertain our Chief Minister and other guests,” she added. On Thursday, a cultural event was held in Kashi Tent City at the summit location, Vrindavan Yojna. Nitish opened the evening with a tabla performance, followed by Zeeshan’s sarangi recital. The Ramayan Ballet performed by Ayodhya-based performer Sushmita Mishra and her ensemble was the evening’s highlight. Ratan Sisters – Isha and Misha performed Kathak at the end of the evening. Guru Arjun Mishra and Surbhi Singh are the twins’ teachers. “It’s always amazing to perform in our hometown.

“It was a matter of pride for us to stage Lucknow’s own own folk-dance Kathak at such a magnificent occasion,” commented Misha Ratan.