Three-month long grand Patiala Heritage Festival is being held in the historic city to showcase the rich culture of this erstwhile royalty. Districy Collector of Patiala, Ms Sakshi Sawhney, revived the festival after a gap of two years. Starting in December last year, the festival had a series of sports and cultural events, some organised for the first time.
The Patiala Heritage Festival was started in the year 2003 with a 10-day gala affair. It is organized every year since then in the month of February. But, this year, it was spread across three months. Speaking to Indian Masterminds, IAS officer Sakshi Sawhney said, “The aim behind flower show was to promote crop diversification and introduce the horticulture heritage to the people of the district.” Unlike previous years when the festival used to be an invitation only, this year the entry was free for everyone.
This was followed by a Dog show and literature festival on January. Over 230 dogs of 40 different canine breeds from across India participated in the dog show. Inaugurating the Chandigarh Military Literature Festival, Chief Minister Punjab, Mr Bhagwant Mann, announced that he will try to take it to other disticts of Punjab as well.
Ms. Sawhney said, “We had a panel discussion and a documentary show on the armed forces. Arms and battle memorials too were displayed. Moreover, children enjoyed our military band’s tunes.”
THE EVENTS
A ‘Kavi Darbar’ was also organised in which eminent poets like Surjit Patar recited their poems which was followed by a story telling sessions at the Central Library. The officer said, “Next generation doesn’t read. Through this event, we wanted to revive reading habit among children.”A 16-years old author’s book ‘Simar’ was also released during events at the library.
Besides this, for the time an aeromodelling show organised in the district. Ms. Sahni said, “We got an amazing response from children who came up to us as they wish to become pilots and join the army. They also showcased a working model of helicopters and aeroplanes which could actually function and fly.”
RESTORING HERITAGE
A three-days theatre festival saw Ms. Nirmal Rishi, a Punjabi actress, enacted her play ‘Ammi’ at the heritage auditorium and also started the memorial auditorium which was earlier lying closed. A stand-up comedian also performed at the same venue later.
The last events of the Heritage Festival will start on February 25 to culminate in first week of March. A craft mela and a polo match too is planned on February 25 and 26.
The festival will end with a cultural evening where for the first time, one of the vocal gharanas of Hindustani classical music, named after the city Patiala Gharana has been invited. Ms. Sawhney said, “Through this, we are trying to restore the dying legacy of these artists who had already left the city of Patiala and shifted to Calcutta.”
TECHNOLGY
Not only this, but the district administration has put up QR codes have been installed at roads where people can scan and get to know about the heritage building in front of them.
