Simhastha Art Festival got underway amidst chanting of Vedic hymns in Mangalnath area at Ujjain on Friday. The programme at Kalidas dais began with Amitosh Dwivedi's recitation of Rig Ved's hymns.
He was given vocal accompaniment by Ashish Tiwari, Adarsh Pandey and Pravesh Pandey.
The second presentation was Shehnai recitation by Pandit Krishna Ram Choudhary. He was accompanied on Tabla by Shri Ramswaroop Ratoriya, on harmonium Pawan Rai Choudhary and on Shahnai Shri Hemant Rai Choudhary.
later, Savita Godbole of layshala lalit Kala Samiti, Pune presented Kathak dance. She presented Shiv Stuti, Samudra Manthan and Ganga Avtaran through dance. Overwhelmed devotees enjoyed and lauded the presentation.
The festival is being celebrated by Madhya Pradesh Department of Culture in collaboration with Government of India. It will be concurrent with Simhastha from April 22 to May 21. The programme is being held at 5 points in Mela area. Folk dancers, singers and musicians will present plays focusing on lord Shri Krishna, lord Shiva, Ram leela, devotional songs. Mythological films will also be screened.
Meanwhile, interest among people is increasing to avail new facilities developed for Simhastha-2016 at Ujjain. A special counter has been set up by Department of Post in Mangalnath post office where devotees are being offered facility of My Stamp.
By spending `300, a devotee can perpetuate memory of Simhastha in the form of postal stamp. Total 12 postal stamps' sheet with artistic mono is being made available against this fee. Devotees willing to get printed their photographs on postal stamp are thronging the post office.
This is a low-cost and easy way to perpetuate memories of Simhastha. Information about schemes of Department of Post is also being given at this counter.