The 6th Nadi Utsav, organized 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. The festival was inaugurated by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil, and witnessed remarkable participation across its venues—Samvet Auditorium, Umang Conference Hall, Board Room, and Darshanam Gallery. The valedictory session was graced by Shri Gopal Arya, Central Office 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 the festival included:
* 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, who shared river-related life experiences.
* Film Screenings: Documentaries such as Ek Delhi Yamuna Ki, Kaveri River of Life, The Lost Melody of Musi, Ladakh – Life Along the Indus.
* Cultural Performances: The event concluded with River Songs of Bengal by Saurav Moni and team.
Smt. Malini Awasthi delivered a lecture “Nadi aur Geet”. Shri Gopal Arya spoke at the valedictory session. Prof. K. Anil Kumar and Shri Abhay Mishra also spoke at the festival.
The festival fostered a renewed dialogue on river conservation. The press release was issued by PIB Delhi on 27 SEP 2025 at 8:44PM. The contact email is pibculture[at]gmail[dot]com. The Release ID is 2172278. Sunil Kumar Tiwari is mentioned at the end of the release.
Key Entities Referenced
Nadi Utsav: A festival celebrating rivers as ecological lifelines and cultural reservoirs.
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA): Organization that organised the Nadi Utsav in New Delhi.
Ministry of Culture: Government ministry under which the IGNCA operates.
New Delhi: Location where the Nadi Utsav was held.
Ministry of Culture
India’s fortune is rivers, and through them, cultural
essence remains intact : Smt. Malini Awasthi
Sixth Nadi Utsav Concludes with Reflections on
River Conservation and Cultural Resonance
Posted On: 27 SEP 2025 8:44PM by PIB Delhi
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The 6 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 to reaffirm the vital bond between communities and rivers.
The festival was inaugurated by Union Minister of Jal Shakti, Shri C.R. Patil, and witnessed remarkable
participation across its venues—Samvet Auditorium, Umang Conference Hall, Board Room, and Darshanam
Gallery. The valedictory session was graced by Shri Gopal Arya, Central Office 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, who shared river-related life experiences.
• Film Screenings: The festival featured documentaries such as Ek Delhi Yamuna Ki, Kaveri –
River of Life, The Lost Melody of Musi, Ladakh – Life Along the Indus, among others, presenting the
ecological and emotional heritage of rivers.
• Cultural Performances: The event concluded with River Songs of Bengal by Saurav Moni and
team, leaving audiences deeply moved.
Smt. Malini Awasthi, in her lecture “Nadi aur Geet”, observed that in our folk songs, rivers are not merely
streams of water; they assume the role of a heroine, weaving melodies of love, longing, and separation. Rivers
are not only sources of water but flowing streams of culture, faith, and timeless inspiration. It is India’s
fortune that we have rivers, and through them, the cultural essence of India remains intact.
Shri Gopal Arya, speaking at the valedictory session, said, Just as the ocean was churned for gems, Nadi
Utsav is a churning of rivers from which many cultural and intellectual gems have emerged. A river is not
merely movement; it is an integral part of our culture.
Prof. K. Anil Kumar noted that Nadi Utsav honours rivers as both ecological and cultural lifelines, while Shri
Abhay Mishra highlighted the festival’s role in bridging tradition and contemporary practices.
Through lectures, research, exhibitions, films, and performances, the 6th Nadi Utsav fostered a renewed
dialogue on river conservation, positioning rivers not only as natural resources but as symbols of cultural
meaning and social responsibility. The festival concluded with a call to safeguard rivers for future
generations, reaffirming their central place in India’s ecological and cultural fabric.
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Sunil Kumar Tiwaripibculture[at]gmail[dot]com
(Release ID: 2172278)