Youth Festival 2023 .

Hello Readers,

This blog is reviewing the Highlights of Youth Festival 2023 organised by Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University on 03/04/05 November 2023.

The Name and theme of this year's 'Youth Festival'

Its title was "Manbhavan." The primary focus of the Youth Festival centered around "#Nari_Shakti_Vandana," drawing inspiration from the recently approved Nari Shakti Vandana bill in Parliament. Numerous accomplished women were honored across different domains, and witnessing over 1,000 students engaging in the festival, with around 750 of them being girls, truly reflected the spirit of Nari Shakti Vandana.

Kala-Yatra :

On November 2nd, a creative procession, known as Kala-Yatra, unfolded. Engaging students from various colleges who took part in the Youth Festival, this procession embraced the theme of Woman Empowerment. Our department delved into the significance of education in shaping women's lives and highlighted the barriers imposed by patriarchy hindering women from pursuing their aspirations. The journey commenced at Samaldas College, concluding its course at Sardarnagar Circle in Bhavnagar. The university thoughtfully arranged refreshments and dinner for the participating students in the Kala-Yatra.

Elaborating theme:

The predominant focus of the Youth Festival 2023 revolved around women empowerment, a theme that carried over to the initial day of the Kala-Yatra. The skit performances addressed various significant themes such as Chandrayan, unemployment, road construction, Manipur events, and challenges within the Indian education system.

The Sugam Geet competition featured songs predominantly centered on themes related to marriage, worship, philosophy, and the daily struggles of life. Poetry recitations covered major topics like love, betrayal, philosophy, hope, and life lessons. Poster making themes included the importance of water, women empowerment, and education. In cartooning, participants tackled subjects like elections, rising prices, and depictions of Gandhiji and the people. Ekanki presentations delved into issues such as the Kashmir crisis, events from Indian myths, and contemporary happenings.

Events of 'Youth Festival'(2023):

(3rd November 2023) 

On the November 3rd  at the Amphitheatre, two competitions took place: Mimicry and Folk Dance. In the Mimicry contest, participants were allotted 5 minutes to showcase their skills, allowing them to imitate actors, birds, or animal sounds. Some participants opted to narrate stories by creating diverse sounds representing different characters. The second event featured Folk Dance, with 23 colleges presenting Gujarati folk dances along with singers and instruments in accordance with the rules.

Simultaneously, at the Atal Auditorium, solo performances of Skit and Drama were held. The mono act portrayed various characters, including Nathuram Godse, Draupadi, a eunuch, a rural wife, and a man expressing concerns about street animals. The performances were well-received, with distinctive costumes enhancing the connection to the dance, and the audience actively cheering them on. Analyzing these drama presentations through the lens of literary theories, they align with comedy of manners, featuring light satire on political systems and contemporary events. Some performances directly targeted specific political parties, reflecting particular ideologies. Additionally, certain solo performances exhibited elements of sentimental comedy.

(November 4th)

On November 4th, there are scheduled activities such as Western solo singing, group singing in both Western and folk styles, Duha-Chhanda, traditional dance, elocution with the topic 'AI: curse or boon,' on-the-spot photography, clay modeling, mehndi application, cartooning, poster making, Rangoli, quiz, and an essay competition. The elocution participants showcased excellent speaking skills, demonstrating proficiency in their choice of words, body language, and hand gestures.

(November 5th)

On November 5th, group songs (Indian), mime, and an installation competition took place. The installation category involved creating models using the concept of repurposing waste materials, where participants transformed discarded items into something meaningful. Both mime and group songs were well-executed.

The event concluded with a closing ceremony during which winners received medals and certificates. The audience expressed cheers for the victors on the final day. Overall, it provided a wonderful opportunity to witness and gain insights into various activities. Personally, I acquired valuable learning experiences throughout the event.

My Review:

The Youth Festival not only entertained but also educated and inspired. It served as a platform for fostering creativity, addressing pertinent issues, and promoting a sense of community among the participants. A truly commendable and memorable event that left everyone with a sense of enrichment and new perspectives.2023's Youth festival was very enjoyable, informative and worth attending.