Cultural Program Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav at Ahmedabad by Indian Harmonies Choir of J&K state held
Ahmedabad, March 15, 2021: SOUN WATTAN: A Kashmiri poem by Dina Nath ‘NADIM’ presented on the occasion of launch of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav on 12th March,2021 at Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad.
As India prepares to enter into the 75th year of independence in 2022, the Honorable Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi on 12th March 2021 launched the 75 week-long celebrations called ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ at Sabarmati Ashram, Ahmedabad in Gujarat to honor the men & women who gave India her most precious gift, an independent identity. At the outset, the Honble PM visited the Sabarmati Ashram to pay respects to the Father of The Nation on the 91st anniversary of the day that Bapu led the civil disobedience movement against British rule, known as Salt Satyagraha, from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi(12/3/1930).
Following his visit to the Ashram, PM Modi attended a cultural program within the vicinity of the Ashram, where a young , talented bunch of artists from Indian Harmonies Choir of J&K state was invited to perform.
The choir presented a soulful performance on renowned Kashmiri poet Dina Nath Nadim’s “Soun Wattan”(My Motherland) which was composed & conducted by Saurabh Zadoo, one of the youngest singer-composers from Kashmir who originally belongs to Srinagar. The song represented the message of love, peace and oneness showcasing the beauty and cultural traditions of the people of J&K.
On this occasion, Nirupama Kotru (Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture) said “I feel happy and proud to present the richness of Kashmiri literature &poetry and the soulfulness of its music on this auspicious and important occasion before the dignitaries and all Indians across the world who will watch live telecast of this program .J&K is the paired state of Tamil Nadu under our flagship scheme of “EkBharat, Shreshtha Bharat”-hence the musical presentation of Nadim Saheb’s legendary poem will be followed by Tamil song Thayin Manikodi Pareer(Salute to the Tricolour) written by legendary poet Subramania Bharati, thus showcasing our unity in diversity.”
For the performance of Soun Wattan, the choir group of 20 young artists was seen dressed in a beautiful attire of pheran ,the traditional dress of Kashmiri ladies with tarang (a cap wore by Kashmiri Pandit ladies). “Kashmiri culture which is closely related to its natural beauty, is unique to our land and on such a global level platform, it’s important to have such presentations to sustain our roots, art & culture” said composer Saurabh Zadoo.
The presentation was seen and applauded by Honble PM Modi & Union Culture Minister Prahlad Singh Patel. Many dignitaries like actor Anupam Kher and singer Hariharan specially came back stage to congratulate all the Kashmiri choir artists, and expressed their appreciation of their musical presentation. The choir was composed of young ,upcoming artists who originally belong to J&K- Sagar Koul, Nivedita Raina, Vani Bhat, Sannat Koul, Chavvi Koul, Akanksha Zadoo, Prjjwal Kaul, Anoushka Bhat, Himanshi Raina, Riddhi Kaul, Bhavik Pandita, Kashyapi Ganjoo, Shreya Walli, Bharti Raina, Vanshika Bhat, Shreshtha Raina, Khushi Kaul ,accompanied on matka by Abdul Rashid Shah & on sarangi by Manzoor Ahmad Shah from Srinagar and Composer Saurabh Zadoo who conducted the choir on stage.
On this occasion, the PM also inaugurated a website of the ‘Amrit Mahotsav’ and an ‘Atmanirbhar Incubator’ and said ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav means elixir of the energy of freedom, it means the nectar of inspiration from freedom fighters, the nectar of new ideas, the nectar of new resolutions ,and the nectar of self-reliance’. This nectar of inspiration from the past will serve to further inspire the coming generations of this country, he added.
The Prime Minister flagged off a padyatra or foot march from Sabarmati Ashram and paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and all the freedom fighters who lost their lives fighting for the country’s independence. The inaugural program was followed by programs at 75 locations across the country in all States and UTs, including in Jammu & Kashmir. Azadi Ka Aamrit Mahotsav will be celebrated all over India over next for 75 weeks.
