The North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Patiala, will host a two-day “Vaisakhi Utsav-2026” at Kalagram from April 12. The two-day cultural bonanza will feature some power-packed performances based on the vibrant cultural legacy of Punjab.
The festival of Vaisakhi, marking the harvesting season of the year, reflects the agrarian soul of North India. It holds greater cultural and spiritual significance for Punjab as it is time for fun-loving Punjabis, especially the farming community, to celebrate the spirit, like never before.The festive ocassion is also commemorated as the founding day of the Khalsa Panth by Guru Gobind Singh in the year 1699.
The farming community on this gala day walk out of their routine humdrum to celebrate the spirit over the bumper wheat harvest.They sing songs of joy to express their profound gratitude to God by dancing to the peppy beats of dhol. Men perform Bhangra and women Gidda clad in vibrant phulkaris, as the sprawling golden fields of Punjab become the perfect backdrop for the festival of gratitude and community pride.
Giving sidelights of the event cut out, NZCC programme officer Rajesh Bakshi said that on the inaugural day of the festival, prominent folk artiste Major Singh (and troupe) will showcase the magic of his immaculate Punjabi folk singing, folk musical instruments, and Malwai Giddha, a fascinating folk dance of Punjab.
On the concluding day, star performers of the evening will include Shaminder Shammi (and team), who will enthrall the audience with his mesmerising Punjabi folk singing, while Desh Raj Lachhkani will offer a slice of the traditional ‘Dhadi’ folk singing along with their troupe.
This will be followed by a potpourri of popular folk performances, including ‘Gatka’, a daredevil martial art by Talwinder Singh and team, Jhoomar by Jaswant Singh, Jindua and Luddi by Narottam Singh, Bhangra by Amninder Singh, ‘Baazigar’ by Bakhshish Singh, Ghoomar and Phag by Manoj Jale and Bhand-Mirasi by Som Sehota, who are lined up to entertain the audience with their troupes.
The event timings on both days will be 6 pm, onwards, with free entry for visitors.
Sanjeev Shad, a prominent anchor of the region, known for his falsetto voice modulation, will
conduct the stage.
NZCC Director Mohd. Furqan Khan on the occasion said: “This unique festival of love and longing, will not only offer some mirthful moments on this festive ocassion of Baisakhi, but will also act as a powerful medium of connecting the youth to their rich cultural roots”
