The 6th Nadi Utsav, organised by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, concluded today at IGNCA, Janpath, New Delhi. Over three days, the festival celebrated rivers as ecological lifelines and cultural reservoirs, blending scholarship, art, and performance. The festival was inaugurated by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil. The valedictory session was graced by Shri Gopal Arya, Central Once Secretary of the RSS, as Chief Guest, chaired by Prof. K. Anil Kumar and moderated by Shri Abhay Mishra, Convenor of Nadi Utsav.
Highlights of Nadi Utsav 2025
• National Seminar: Over 300 research papers were received, of which 45 were presented, exploring “Riverscape Dynamics: Changes and Continuity”, in collaboration with the University of Delhi.
• Cultural & Academic Sessions: Discussions on River in Art, River Gods and Folk Narratives, Science and Rivers, and Traditional Knowledge Systems were complemented by sessions featuring Indian Army veterans.
• Film Screenings: The festival featured documentaries such as Ek Delhi Yamuna Ki, Kaveri – River of Life, The Lost Melody of Musi, and Ladakh – Life Along the Indus.
• Cultural Performances: The event concluded with River Songs of Bengal by Saurav Moni and team.
Smt. Malini Awasthi, in her lecture “Nadi aur Geet”, observed that in folk songs, rivers assume the role of a heroine, weaving melodies of love, longing, and separation. Rivers are flowing streams of culture, faith, and timeless inspiration through which the cultural essence of India remains intact. The 6th Nadi Utsav fostered a renewed dialogue on river conservation, positioning rivers as symbols of cultural meaning and social responsibility. The festival concluded with a call to safeguard rivers for future generations.
