The 7 day Dr. M.S. Randhawa Art and Literary Festival being organized by Punjab Kala Parishad concluded late evening yesterday leaving behind a trail of renewed awareness about the great cultural, artistic and historical heritage of Punjab. The height of the festival was the par excellence rendition of folk songs by eminent folk singer Gurmeet Bawa and her daughters Lachi and Glory Bawa. The audience just loved the way Gurmeet Bawa sang 'Jugni' and Lachi & Glory Bawa rendered 'Mitti Da Bawa'. In his concluding address on the occasion, prominent litterateur and journalist Gulzar Singh Sandhu while appreciating the magical voice of Gurmeet Bawa said that the singer weaves same magic with her voice now as she did over 4 decades earlier. Congratulating the organizers for the super success of the fest, he emphasized holding of such events at regular intervals. He also rendered a boli 'Addhi Manji Chhad Mittra, Mera Naram Kalja Dharke' which was greatly liked by the audience.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Punjab Kala Parishad Dr. Surjit Patar while addressing the audience said that this fest is a signal of the resurgence of the cultural, literary and heritage movement in the State. He also said that the dream envisioned by the Cultural Affairs Minister, Punjab, Mr. Navjot Singh Sidhu to usher in a cultural revolution would be realized by holding such fests in every village of the state. Listing the examples of Jaipur Literature Fest and Columbia Poetic Fest, Dr. Patar expressed happiness over the fact that now the people in large numbers are converging on literary fests too. He also announced to hold 'International Mother Tongue Day' on a grand scale on 21st February in literary contests amongst the students would be held. In the conclusion of his address, he thanked all the members associated with the Punjab Kala Parishad, 3 academies, artists and the people who attended the fest.
The highlight of the evening the performances of Gurmeet Bawa and her daughters Lachi and Glory Bawa. Their rendition of 'Saiful Mulook', Shagan Songs, 'Jugni' and 'Mitti Da Bawa' just mesmerized the audience who thundered, clapped and cheered their performance. The trio also sang 'Mirza' which was the pinnacle of their performances. In the end, Gulzar Singh Sandhu and Dr. Surjit Patar honoured Gurmeet Bawa, her husband Kirpal Bawa and daughters Lachi and Glory Bawa with a 'Phulkari'. The stage was excellently conducted by Dr. Nirmal Jaura and Deepak Sharma Chanarthal.Earlier, the presentation of 'Puadhi Jalsa' sent the audience into a trance. The folk performance was greatly liked and generated curiosity among the folk art lovers. On the last day, Vice-Chairperson of the Punjab Kala Parishad Dr. Neelam Man Singh Chaudhary, Secretary General Dr. Lakhwinder Singh Johal, President Punjab Sahit Academy Dr. Sarbjit Kaur Sohal, President Punjab Sangeet Natak Academy Kewal Dhaliwal and Secretary Pritam Rupal, President Punjab Lalit Kala Academy Diwan Manna, Litterateur Dr. Surinder Gill, Hardayal Singh Thoohi and Bhola Kalehri were also present.