Manganiyars and Manipur tie up Arth fest

The third and last day of Arth — A Cultural Festival ended on Sunday with a discussion on various issues such as the traditions of Kashmir, Rituals: balancing tradition and modernity, the untold stories of Indian courtesans and LGBTQIA. The epic Ramayana was also depicted through shadow puppets. Arth celebrated the essence of 'Indic thought and philosophy'.

The last day was packed with discourses and performances that highlighted cultures that make-up India's rainbow. While lyricist Manoj Muntashir and professor Arjun Singh Kadian engaged in poetry in Meri Fitrat Hai Mastana, an expert panel discussed the myth and facts of the Aryan Invasion Theory. Author and journalist Rahul Pandita and professor Sangeetha Menon expressed their views on the lost cultural traditions of Heaven on Earth, Kashmir.

Apart from cultural heritage, emerging technologies, the impact of media on society and the boundaries of gender were also vigorously discussed. At All Is Fair in Love, the role, visibility and acceptance of the LGBTQ community in Indian society was dissected. Performance art was not left behind but represented by cultural performances by states such as Manipur.

American-Indian author Rajiv Malhotra chatted with Chairman of Aarin Capital Mohandas Pai on the Grand Indian Narrative, while Grammy-winner instrumentalist Vishwa Mohan Bhatt gave the audience a taste of the musical traditions of the Manganiyars of Rajasthan.

Rajya Sabha MP Dr Subhash Chandra had said on the first day of the festival that his daughter-in-law, philanthropist Shreyasi Goenka came up the idea, and the serendipity of it surprised him as it was a dream he had nurtured for many years. "She and her 'Arth' team are doing an excellent job," the chairman of ZEE and Essel Group said. "Arth will become a symbol of celebration among the youth, in the country and internationally as well."