State Level Youth Festival 2024 Inaugurated in Lakhisarai: A Celebration of Art, Culture, and Talent

The grand inauguration of State Level Youth Festival, 2024 took place at Gandhi Maidan, Lakhisarai today on 30.11.2024 morning. The festival was inaugurated by local MP cum Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan alias Lallan Singh by offering water to the Peepal tree.

The program was inaugurated by Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister cum Minister, Art and Culture Department, Government of Bihar Shri Vijay Kumar Sinha, Hon'ble Transport Minister cum District In-charge Minister Smt. Sheela Kumari Mandal, local MLA Shri Prahlad Yadav, Shri Arvind Paswan, Municipal Council President, District Council President, Smt. Anshu Kumari, Director of Art and Culture Department, Government of Bihar Smt. Ruby, Special Secretary Smt. Seema Tripathi, District Magistrate Shri Mithilesh Mishra, Superintendent of Police Shri Ajay Kumar, Deputy Development Commissioner Shri Kundan Kumar, Bihar Hindustan Bureau Chief Shri Ashutosh Kumar Singh by jointly lighting the lamp.

The stage was presided over by Minister in-charge Smt. Sheela Kumari Mandal, while the stage was conducted by famous folk artist Smt. Soma Chakraborty.

1554 participants from 38 districts of Bihar are participating in this colorful state level festival which is going on for three days. Thousands of children, teachers, parents, intellectuals and dignitaries of the district witnessed this unprecedented moment. The beautiful huge stage, grand pandal, pleasant weather, field covered with greenery, mild sunshine, colorful stalls lined up and the district officials and workers ready to cooperate made the event memorable.

Before the inaugural session at 7:30 am, beautiful tableaux of Kala Shobha Yatra were taken out from K R K Ground to Collectorate in which participants from all districts and artists of Kala Jatha took part. The city dwellers were mesmerized by seeing this beautiful scene. All the participants and artists were welcomed by volunteer girls at the main gate of the festival venue by applying tilak sandalwood and showering rice and flowers.

The program started with Mangal Mantra chanting and conch sound. After this, Bihar song was presented in a melodious voice. Then the girls of Vidyapeeth Lakhisarai presented a welcome song in honour of the visitors with a new attitude.

Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan alias Lallan Singh in his address assured to request the Prime Minister to organise National Youth Festival in Patna. While the Deputy Chief Minister assured necessary support in taking Lakhisarai to advanced achievement in the state, the Minister-in-charge Mrs. Sheela Kumari Mandal praised the arrangements of the event and said that she would camp here for the next two days and cooperate. After the address on the stage, Shri Sinha inspected the stalls of all the departments and praised everyone for the better arrangements.

District Magistrate Shri Mithilesh Mishra honoured all the visitors by dedicating clothes and plants.

1554 participants from 38 districts across Bihar have participated in this colourful program of state level Yuva Utsav 24, including 64 from Patna district, 31 from Nalanda, 27 from Bhojpur, 33 from Rohtas, 33 from Buxar, 45 from Kaimur, 37 from West Champaran, 23 from East Champaran, 25 from Shivhar, 27 from Muzaffarpur, 24 from Sitamarhi, 51 from Vaishali, 32 from Saran, 36 from Siwan, 36 from Gopalganj, 22 from Saharsa, 54 from Madhepura, 42 from Supaul, 45 from Lakhisarai, 51 from Sheikhpura, 35 from Khagaria, 66 from Begusarai, 32 from Jamui, 33 from Munger, 71 from Gaya, 26 from Nawada, 37 from Aurangabad, 59 participants from Jehanabad, 41 from Arwal, 65 from Purnia, 45 from Katihar, 45 from Araria, 32 from Kishanganj, 38 from Darbhanga, 55 from Madhubani, 49 from Samastipur, 26 from Banka and 61 from Bhagalpur participated in this event after securing top positions in various disciplines in their respective districts.

After the inaugural session today, 12 different competitions were organized at different places in the State Level Yuva Utsav 2024. In which group dance was organized on the main stage built in Gandhi Maidan, short drama was staged in the auditorium of Nagar Bhawan, classical instrument playing and harmonium light music competition started in Ashok Academy, while classical dance was presented in the museum located in Balgudar and solo folk dance in Balika Vidyapeeth. At the same time, poetry writing and story writing competition were organized in the consultation room, Collectorate.

On the other hand, four competitions were organized in Khel Bhawan in which painting competition was organized in the conference hall of the second floor, sculpture competition in the conference hall of the first floor, speech competition in the conference hall of the second floor and photography competition in the meeting hall of the second floor.

The jury members of the painting competition organized in Khel Bhawan were Mrs. Archana Singh and Mr. Mohammad Suleman. The jury members of the sculpture competition were Mr. Uday Pandit and Mr. Pintu Prasad.

The third photography competition was organized in Khel Bhawan whose jury members were Mr. Shailendra Kumar and Mr. Ravi S. Sahni while the jury members of the fourth speech competition were Mr. Manoj Kumar, Dr. S. K. Premi, Dr. Sudarshan Sharma and Shashi Ranjan Kumar.

A short drama was performed by the participants from all the districts of the state in the auditorium, Nagar Bhawan at 12:00 noon. Before this, the short drama competition program was inaugurated by District Magistrate Mr. Mithilesh Mishra by lighting the lamp. It was told through the stage that the winning team will be advanced for performance at the national level.

Under the State Level Youth Festival 2024 organized by the Department of Art, Culture and Youth, Bihar and District Administration, Lakhisarai, a classical instrumental playing competition was organized at Ashok Academy on 30/11/2024. The jury of this program included 1. Mohammad Salim, Teacher, Flute Player, (Bhartiya Nritya Kala Manch) 2. Shri Rakesh Ranjan Sinha, Teacher, Guitar Player, (Bhartiya Nritya Kala Manch) 3. Shri Omprakash Choubey, Tabla Player.

In the second session, the presentation of group dance started district wise on the main stage. The announcer Soma Chakraborty informed all the participants about the standards set. It was told that any group can have a maximum of ten participants including the singing team, live presentation of music has to be done, recorded music is not to be included in the judging list, maximum time of five minutes will be fixed for stage preparation and ten minutes for presentation. Evaluation is to be done on dance and rhythm, costumes, decoration and overall presentation. The jury includes Shri Krishna Kishore Bharatiya Nritya Kala Mandir Patna and young dancer Kumar Uday Singh, awarded with Bismillah Khan Yuva and Sangeet Natak Academy Award.

The first presentation was from East Champaran district, due to recorded music it was kept out of the judging. Gopalganj district gave a charming presentation of Ae Sajni Ho folk dance. Thereafter, participants from Purnia district presented a group dance on the song Jhijhiya Khelay Chi Ho. After this, traditional tribal dance was presented by Siwan, Banka. Again, after the presentation of Jhulni Gadha De by Kaimur district, a break of 15 minutes was given. After a short break, the program was restarted with the presentation of Jat Jatin dance by Khagaria district. Group dance on mixed song was presented by the team of West Champaran. After that, Umre Badariya Chamke Vijulia was presented by Nalanda, followed by a presentation by Sheikhpura district. Thereafter, Jhijhiya dance was presented by the team of Bal Kilkari Bhagalpur. Godna dance was presented by Munger Bal Kilkari team. Dance on Sama Chakeva was presented by the team of Kilkari Patna. After that, the team of Madhepura performed.

Under the State Level Youth Festival, 2024 organized by the Department of Art, Culture and Youth Bihar and District Administration Lakhisarai, on 30/11/2024, a total of 30 participants from different districts will participate in the Classical Dance, Auditorium Museum Lakhisarai. As members of the jury of this program, 1. Mrs. Ranjana Sarkar Bihar Government Awardee 2. Mrs. Imli Das Gupta, ODC, (Teacher Bharatiya Nritya Kala Manch) 3. Mrs. Sangeeta Raman, Kutti Bharatnatyam Teacher, (Bharatiya Nritya Kala Manch) are present in the program.

Poetry writing was organized in the consultation room, in which a total of 20 participants participated.