Colourful cultural extravaganza marks Avadh Girls’ Degree College 47th Founder’s Day
Lucknow: Avadh Girls’ Degree College celebrated its 47th Founder’s Day on the 26th of November, 2022, in all its grandeur and gaiety.
Dr. Vandana Sehgal, Dean and Principal Faculty of Architecture and Planning, Abdul Kalam Technical University, graced the occasion as Chief Guest.
The program started with the lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, Dr. Vandana Sehgal, Prof. Nishi Pandey, Manager/Secretary, Managing Committee of the college, Prof. Bina Rai, Principal and Prof. Upma Chaturvedi, Vice Principal of the college were present.
The Chief Guest was welcomed by the Manager and Principal. Prof. Kumkum Dhar was felicitated by the Chief Guest and the Manager. Prof. Kumkum Dhar is a renowned dance exponent of the Lucknow School of Kathak, she is the senior most disciple of the legendary Kathak maestro Guru Lachhu Maharaj.
She is a sangeet Visharad and holds a Doctorate in Economics. She was Dean, Faculty of Dance, at Bhatkhande Music University. She has also officiated as Vice-Chancellor of Bhatkhande Music Institute Deemed University, Lucknow. She has over four decades of long and dedicated experience as a classical dance performer, choreographer and GURU.
Prof. Bina Rai then delivered the formal welcome address. The Chief Guest then addressed the august gathering and encouraged the girl students to live their dreams. They should always aspire to make a mark for themselves in the male dominated society. Success would not be easy and the cost would take its toll at times, but they should always aspire to make a mark and leave their footprints on time. She related personal anecdotes to highlight how the change in mindset will bring about an effective change and gender equality in society.
The students of the College, under the mentorship of Prof. Kumkum Dhar, presented a bouquet of various dance forms. The dance sequence began with an invocation to Lord Ganesha through the “Ganesh Vandana” wherein he was evoked to shower his blessings for the smooth conduct of the programme. The presenters included Chayancy Pahuja, Ananya Shukla, Archana Yadav, Aradhana Yadav, Sonam Singh, Ankita Raj, Mehek Jivan, Kashak Rana, Tanisjka Kumari, Medha Pandey, Aditi Yadav and Tejal Singh.
The next dance sequence was “The Jugalbandi”- a synchronized mélange of lyrics, ghungroo and table beats, performed by Ranjana Sharma, Ananya Tiwari, Parthvi Roy, Kuhu Gupta and Shivangi Bhadheval. The vibrant and exhilarating culture of the city came alive during the staging of the “thumri”- “Sab ban aayi Shyama Pyari re” which was penned by the Kathak stalwart Shri Vindadeen Maharaj. The participants included Chayancy Pahuja, Ananya Shukla, Chayanika Shukla and Medha Pandey. It was followed by a mesmerizing recreation of the Tarana dance form, believed to have been initiated by Hazrat Ameer Khusro in the medieval era of Indian history.
The performers who resurrected the dance form included Ananya Tiwari, Parthiv Roy, Kuhu Gupta and Shivangi Bhadhvel. The hard work of the support staff towards the efficient running of the college was acknowledged and a token of appreciation was presented to them. The Manager/ Secretary of the College, Prof. Nishi Pandey addressed the audience and applauded the hard work and the zeal that was put in to make the event a success. The medley was completed with a passionately pulsating performance of “Raas” by Chayancy Pahuja, Ananya Shukla, Archana Yadav, Aradhana Yadav, Sonam Singh, Ankita Rai, Mehak Jivan, Tanishka Kumari, Aditi Yadav, Tejal Singh, Medha Pandey, Kashak Rana, Ananya Tiwari, Parthvi Roy, Kuhu Gupta and Shivangi Bhadhvel. The engaging evening concluded with the formal Vote of Thanks proposed by Ms. Sadaf Chaudhary, President of the Debating Club.
The programme was conducted by Prof. Preeti Awasthi, Dr. Devanshi Bhatnagar, Dr. Almee Raza, Students’ Council President Ms. Niyati Kriplani and Vice-President and Ms. Mariyam Shakeel.
