The 35th edition of the Pune Festival, a vibrant celebration of music, dance, drama, art, singing, sports, and culture, commenced with a grand inauguration on Friday. Hosted at the Shri Ganesh Kala Krida Rangmanch in Swargate, the event welcomed State Tourism Minister Girish Mahajan as the chief guest. Running until September 28th, the festival promises a diverse array of cultural experiences for attendees.
Distinguished Guests and Participants
Industry Minister Uday Samant presided over the function, and Higher and Technical Education Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Chandrakant Patil graced the event as the chief guest. The event also hosted distinguished guests, including Rajani Patil (MP), Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee President Nana Patole, Shrirang Barne (MP), and Chief Secretary of Maharashtra Tourism Ministry Radhika Rastogi.
Hema Malini’s 30-Year Milestone
Actress and politician Hema Malini continued her remarkable 30-year association with the festival by performing the Ganesh Vandana during the inaugural function, adding a touch of elegance and tradition to the event.
A Collaborative Effort for Culture and Arts
The Pune Festival represents a collaborative effort between the Pune Festival Committee, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation, and the Department of Tourism, Government of India. Notably, all festival events are open to the public without any entry fees.
Honoring Excellence
During the ceremony, individuals who have excelled in various fields received the prestigious ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’ This year, the honor was bestowed upon Orthopaedic specialist Dr. KH Sancheti. Additionally, the ‘Pune Festival’ award was presented to Sanjay Ghodawat of the Sanjay Ghodawat group.
Centenary-Year Celebration of Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal
A significant highlight of the event was the centenary-year celebration of the Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal in Pune. This year, ‘Khadak Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal,’ ‘Shri Trishund Mayureshwar Ganpati Vijay Mandal Trust,’ and ‘Sadashiv Peth Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal’ (Shri Shivaji Mandir) were honored for their invaluable contributions.
Diverse Cultural Performances
The festival’s opening ceremony lived up to its tradition of being a grand spectacle, setting the stage for a culturally rich 35th edition. The event featured a diverse array of performances, including music, dance, and presentations by artists of all ages.
