Come September and it's time for the Pune Festival
- a celebration of art and culture in the cultural
capital of Maharashtra, a festival eagerly looked
forward to by the Puneites. A delightful treat for
cultural enthusiasts, the Pune Fes tival
provides a feast of entertainment for visitors who
can participate and revel in traditional as well
as modern sports events, shop for exquisite textiles
or handicrafts, relish the delicious cuisine, and
rejoice in the colourful customs of Maharashtra.
Although the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi itself
is well over a hundred years old, the Pune Festival,
which showcases the rich artistic and cultural heritage
of Maharashtra, is entering its twelfth year. Starting
out as a local event, the Pune Festival has, over
the years, gained national and international renown
and evolved into one of India's foremost cultural
events, not only for the people of this lively city,
but for cultural enthusiasts all over India and
abroad. Renowned artistes gather at Pune, considering
it a privilege to be invited to perform at this
festival. The festival provides a platform for the
exponents of classical music and dance. In keeping
with the times, it also promotes the modern trends
notably in the dramatic arts as well as the traditional
art of rangoli. |
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 The
Pune Festival aims to preserve, present and promote
the rich heritage of the performing arts, the
culture and customs of a people who celebrate
every joyous moment of their lives. A feast of
cultural events and entertainment programmes is
laid out to thrill and delight everyone. The organisers
spare no efforts to ensure that the guests enjoy
the comforts of all modern amenities - from accommodation
to travel arrangements to volunteers who will
show them around the city and the splendid sights
it has to offer.
The festival commences with the 'Shobha Yatra'-
a procession in which hundreds of folk artistes
participate in their traditional costumes. Village
'jatras' or fairs held in the close vicinity to
the city give a glimpse of rural Maharashtra at
its colourful best. The 'Lavani' mahotsav showcasing
the popular, earthy folk dance of Maharashtra
promises exciting evenings. 'Dhol Lezims' and
recitals of religious hymns and text enthral the
religious.
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 Plays
are staged in Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati
for lovers of theatre. A special event at the festival
called 'Indradhanu' provides centrestage to aspiring
local talent. Evenings devoted to Ghazals and Mushairas
appeal to those poetically inclined.
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For sports lovers, there is the
Bullock Cart race and thrilling Motor-Cross. There
are physical sports like wrestlin g
bouts and adventurous water sports like Kayaking.
Connoisseurs of food can relish the mouth-watering
delicacies at the food festivals. Art lovers can
enjoy watching artists make colourful rangolis.
Girls are thrilled with the intricate designs of
the mehendi artists. Painting competitions for school
children and roller-skating championships rope in
the youngsters. Flower shows and exhibitions of
handicrafts offer a welcome break from the entertainment
programmes spread over the evenings. |
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