Members of Sanskar Bharti, a cultural organisation, light diyas to celebrate their 25th Foundation Day at Vivekananda Vidya Mandir in Ranchi. Picture by Prashant Mitra

Ranchi, Jan. 11: Art and culture were the media through which the organisation Sanskar Bharti celebrated its 25th Foundation Day, on the eve of Swami Vivekananda?s birthday.

The group held a programme at Vivekananda Vidya Mandir School today.

Students and professional artistes who had been especially invited to take part, put up beautiful and thought provoking programmes.

From the sitar recital by Soumitra Thakur (13) to the drama Hum Bhi Admi Hain directed by Sushil Ankan, who had been invited by the organisation to stage the play, it was an impressive show througout.

After the soothing, devotional songs such as Payo ji maine ram ratan dhan payo, it was time to focus attention on the socially relevant play, based on Swami Vivekananda?s life.

It took up the issue of untouchability, which Vivekananda had always fought against.

Sushil said Vivekananda always had a special concern for the untouchables.

It was an issue still relevant in society today.

?We have tried to depict one aspect of Swamiji?s life,? he added.

Bhupesh Sharma (25), a college student who played the role of Swami Vivekananda, said: ?I have been enacting the role of different characters since my school days. I feel privileged to play the role of Swami Vivekananda, whom the world admires for his ideals and thoughts.?

There was also a sit and draw competition for children, who were divided into two categories, A (Class I to III), and B (Class IV onwards).

The topics given were environment, patriotism and natural beauty, all meant to create awareness in the students.

Under group A, first prize was bagged by Sandip Bauri, second by Shalini Singh and third by Puja Kumari. In group B, first prize was bagged by Ashwini Kumar, second by Anjali Kumari and third by Vandana Jha.

The paintings exhibited by the artistes especially invited for the programme also showed the richness of nature.

Artiste Haren Thakur was present to explain the works on display to the visitors and schoolchildren.

He also explained to them the significance of the paintings on show and answered questions put up by interested children.

The chief guest for the occasion was A.K. Singh, an IAS officer, who appreciated the performance with its stress on Indian culture, which he said needs to be protected.