Bharat Parv 2025 at Statue of Unity, Ekta Nagar: Celebrating ‘Ek Bharat, Shresth Bharat’
Gandhinagar, 7 September 2025: At the world’s tallest statue, the Statue of Unity, the spirit of India’s unity in diversity shines bright. To mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, a grand Bharat Parv is being organised at Ekta Nagar from 1 to 15 November 2025, in collaboration with the Government of India and the Government of Gujarat. Folk art, music, and cultural traditions from various states of the country are being showcased together at this celebration.
At this festival, artist Rahul Shrivas from Arera Colony, Bhopal, in Madhya Pradesh, is drawing everyone’s attention through his unique craft. Using waste furniture material, he creates miniature replicas of nearly 40 musical instruments, including tabla, dholak, harmonium, sitar, veena, been, flute, jal-tarang, mridangam, khanjari, duff, conch, jalar, kartal, sarangi, shehnai, surmandal, and many more. These replicas not only look visually striking, but also reflect the true spirit of “Vocal for Local.”
Coming from a music-loving family, Rahul earned his music degree from Prayag University in Madhya Pradesh. He began his journey by performing at music events, but the inability to afford costly instruments inspired him to think creatively and find an alternative. Rahul shared, “Musical instruments were expensive and I could not buy them easily, so I began creating miniature replicas from discarded furniture material. People loved them, and gradually the demand increased.” Selling these handcrafted replicas soon became his source of livelihood. What began decades ago as a small experiment has today become a symbol of his self-reliance and creativity.
An Artist & Changemaker: Rahul Shrivas Offers Employment to 20 Women
Rahul Shrivas is now using his skills to empower others. With support from his family, he trains around 20 women in making miniature musical instruments, providing them with a stable source of income. He earns about Rs 30,000 per month, while the women working with him receive around Rs 300 per day. “I may have become self-reliant, but helping these women achieve self-reliance is my greatest satisfaction,” he says.
Representing the art of Madhya Pradesh at Bharat Parv
During the celebrations of Bharat Parv at Ekta Nagar, the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Department coordinated with the state government to allocate a special stall to Rahul Shrivas, where he is exhibiting and selling his handcrafted miniature instruments. “People are responding very positively,” he said, adding, “Thanks to the Gujarat government’s initiative, small entrepreneurs like us have received a big platform, and I am truly grateful.”
Visitors from different states across the country are enthusiastically stopping by his stall. The charm of the miniature instruments fascinates everyone who sees them.
Vocal for Local: A Tune of Self-Reliance
For Rahul Shrivas, this art is not just a business—it reflects the spirit of a self-reliant India. Using waste furniture material to create artistic and functional instruments, his work truly represents the message of Vocal for Local and Make in India.
During Bharat Parv 2025 at Ekta Nagar, artists like Rahul are showcasing India’s traditional craftsmanship, folk music, and the essence of self-reliance to the entire nation.
