Under the aegis of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’s theme Cultural Pride, “Wonder Caves” festival is being organized by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Under this, a beautiful blend of literature, culture, art, archaeology, and history is being presented. This festival is a campaign dedicated to our rich history, culture, stories of freedom struggle and their Bravehearts deeply ingrained in the built heritage and caves of our country.
South Central Zone Cultural Centre, Nagpur and Archaeological Survey of India, Aurangabad Circle, are organizing “Wonder Caves” – Caves and Fort Festival of India on May 27, 2023, at Ellora Caves. Following events are included in this one-day event:
7 am to 10 am:
Heritage walk, photography exhibition and painting camp.
5.30 pm to 8.00 pm:
Cultural programs like “Powada Gayan” by Shahir Yashwant Jadhav and group, Quiz program, and dance presentation based on the architecture and craft of Ellora caves by Parvati Dutta and Mahagami dance group.
About the performances:
In the traditional “Powada Gayan” of Maharashtra, Shaheer Yashwant Jadhav and the group will demonstrate the description of forts and caves through Shaheer Powada, the folk-art culture of Maharashtra. In this the success story of Maharashtra will be presented. Powada singing based on Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and freedom struggle will be presented.
“Nrityankan” – Dance presentation based on the architecture and craft of Ellora caves will be presented by Parvati Dutta and Mahagami dance group. The Ellora caves can be perceived as the longest art movement spanning about 800 years. Magnificent sculptures, paintings, architectural landmarks are not only artistic marvels but also an inspiration to mankind. This dance drama narrates legends from the Ramayana and the Mahabharata which the elaborate carvings on both sides of the Kailash Temple seek to translate. In addition, there are dance sequences commemorating the Dashavatara, Ganga-Yamuna-Saraswati, episodes from the life of Shiva, Buddha's messages on great truths, architectural landmarks, and known unknown artists.
About Ellora Caves:
Ellora Caves are a rock-cut Hindu, Buddhist and Jain cave complex, with artwork dating from the period 600–1000 CE, located in the Sambhaji nagar District of Maharashtra, India. Ellora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site There are over 100 caves at the site, all excavated from the basalt cliffs in the Charanandri Hills, 34 of which are open to public. They were built close to one another and illustrate the religious harmony that existed in ancient India. Although the caves served as temples and a rest stop for pilgrims, the site's location on an ancient South Asian trade route also made it an important commercial centre in the Deccan region.
Ellora, also called Verul or Elura, is the short form of the ancient name Elloorpuram. The older form of the name has been found in ancient references such as the Baroda inscription of 812 CE which mentions "the greatness of this edifice" and that "this great edifice was built on a hill by Krishnaraja at Elapura, the edifice in the inscription being the Kailasa temple.
The objective of setting up the event is to cut across territorial boundaries and to reach the larger identity of cultural relationship and commonality and to provide facilities for the creative development of arts and literature with special emphasis on folk and tribal arts. The cultural programme includes folk/tribal music & dance, painting competition, quiz show etc. & we are not just bounded till here we will be mounting an exhibition on the occasion of Forts & Caves Festival, 2023 at “Ellora Caves”.