Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam and Daler Mehndi will create a musical spectacle at the Bihar Divas celebrations this year.

The education department has also enlisted some of the best artistes in the country, including khyal singers Rajan and Sajan Mishra, to perform during the state’s foundation day celebrations around two weeks from now.

Sonu, who has won many hearts through the years, will perform at Gandhi Maidan, the main venue of Bihar Divas, on the inaugural day — March 22. Alka Yagnik will take over to mesmerise the residents the next day. The education department will bring in bhangra king Daler Mehndi, also known for his Sufi songs, on the final day of the 101st foundation day celebrations.

Project director of Bihar Education Project Council Rahul Singh presented the line-up prepared for the three-day extravaganza at a news meet on Wednesday. He said: “Keeping in mind the young generation that wants to hear Bollywood songs and the ones who prefer classical music, we have planned programmes that will have something for both groups.”

Once chief minister Nitish Kumar inaugurates this year’s Bihar Divas at Gandhi Maidan, dance lovers would also have the option to watch a performance of Kathak danseuse Shovana Narayan at Shri Krishna Memorial Hall.

The department would also organise kavi sammelan and mushaira performances at Rabindra Bhavan from March 22 to 24 and a sub-junior school sports meet 2013, christened Tarang.

The meet, being organised for the first time, will be open to around 5,000 students of classes VI to VIII from the state at Moinul Haque Stadium and Patliputra Sports Complex, Kankerbagh, from March 18-21. Around 2,000 girls trained in martial arts would also display their skills at Moinul Haque Stadium on March 21.