6th River Festival Concludes with Songs, Stories, and Cultural Reflections
New Delhi, [India], September 29: The final day of the 6th River Festival at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) on September 27 witnessed a vibrant showcase of expressions, research, and artistic performances centered on rivers. Throughout the day, audiences actively engaged with the events held across various venues — the Samvet Auditorium, Umang Conference Hall, Board Room, and Darshanam Gallery.
The Valedictory Session was graced by Shri Gopal Arya, Office Secretary, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), as the Chief Guest, and chaired by Prof. K. Anil Kumar. The session was conducted by Festival Convener Shri Abhay Mishra.
The highlight of the day was a compelling lecture on “Rivers and Songs” by eminent folk singer Malini Awasthi. She emphasized the deep connection between rivers, folk life, and folk songs. Through melodious renditions and insightful interpretations, she explained how rivers in Indian folk traditions are not merely flowing streams of water, but are personified — sometimes as heroines expressing love, separation, and longing; and at other times as nurturing mothers, sisters, or daughters. Responding to audience requests, she also enthralled the gathering with the iconic Bhojpuri film song *“Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo”* and the travel song *“Sundar Subhumi Bhaiya Bharat Ke Deswa Mein.”*
Malini Awasthi remarked, “Our folk songs transform rivers into symbols of reverence, sensitivity, and emotion. They are not just sources of water, but eternal currents of culture, faith, and inspiration. It is India’s fortune that our civilization thrives along rivers, and it is because of them that our cultural heritage remains intact.”
Delivering the valedictory address, Shri Gopal Arya observed, “We have all heard about the churning of the ocean (Samudra Manthan), which yielded 14 gems. Similarly, this River Festival is a churn (Manthan) of ideas, bringing forth precious gems of knowledge and culture. The river is not merely a flowing entity; it is the very essence of our civilization. This festival too, like a river, continues to flow — carrying forward culture, consciousness, and dialogue.”
The day commenced with the screening of Deepika Bansal’s documentary *“Ek Dilli Yamuna Ki”* — a heartfelt portrayal of Delhi’s relationship with the Yamuna. This was followed by a selection of multilingual and diverse films such as *“Of Curses and Betrayal,” “Samayadu Harivu,” “Kaveri – River of Life,” “Hokesar – The Queen of Wetland,” “Kasadru,” “Boys from the Grove,” “Kalindi – An Urban Legend,”* and *“The Lost Melody of Musi,”* each powerfully depicting the cultural, ecological, and emotional legacy of India’s rivers. A special screening of *“Ladakh – Life Along the Indus”* was also organized.
Simultaneously, the National Symposium in the Umang Conference Hall focused on “Riverscape Dynamics: Changes and Continuity.” Three sessions were held under the themes: “Traditional Riverine Knowledge and Wisdom,” “River Gods and Folk Narratives,” and “The River in Art.” Discussions explored rivers in science, culture, art, and mythology, presenting a multi-dimensional view of their significance.
Adding a distinctive voice, Indian Army veterans shared their reflections in the session “Sentries of the River,” recounting personal journeys and memories linked to rivers. A panel discussion on “Life Along the Rivers: Tributaries and Livelihood” further enriched the deliberations.
The festival concluded on a musical note with “River Songs of Bengal” performed by Sourav Moni and his troupe, leaving the audience deeply moved.
The exhibitions on rivers, part of the River Festival, will remain open until September 30, showcasing contemporary artworks, Kalighat paintings, photography, and poetry — all highlighting the aesthetic, ecological, and cultural dimensions of rivers.
The 6th River Festival was more than a cultural celebration. It emerged as a forum of memory, conservation, and social awareness — a journey of creativity, dialogue, and participation that reaffirmed the timeless significance of Indian rivers.
