A Celebration of Youthful Spirit: My Experience at Bhav Gunjan Youth Festival 2025

The Bhav Gunjan Youth Festival 2025 emerged not simply as a cultural event, but as a dynamic field for critical engagement where literary theories can dialogue with living manifestations of youth creativity. Under the discerning supervision of Prof. Dilip Barad, participants and observers alike were invited to witness, interpret, and interrogate performances as complex texts thus positioning the festival as an ongoing process of meaning-making, deeply rooted in Gandhian philosophy of self-expression and collective celebration.

A Vibrant Prelude: Posters and Invitations Set the Tone

Before the actual festival began, I sensed the excitement building through the colorful posters and the elegant invitation card distributed by the organizers. These were more than just information; they were expressions of the festival’s spirit. Each poster, with its bright colors and bold design, seemed to whisper stories yet to unfold, while the invitation card beautifully captured the essence of the festival, celebration, freedom of expression, and boundless youthful energy. Holding it in my hands, I felt connected to a larger world of creativity that was about to open its doors.

Walking Through Kala-Yatra: The Art of Living Narratives

The festival’s opening day introduced me to the Kala-Yatra, which felt like walking through a living gallery of art and stories. Each tableau was more than a visual delight; it was a silent, profound narrative reflecting culture, society, and the human condition.



     

One performance that particularly moved me was Operation Sindoor, a mirror to contemporary society which exposed social and political truths with raw emotion. It was haunting yet enlightening a call to reflect on the current state of affairs. Equally touching were the tableaux portraying rural Gujarat’s life and traditions. They were authentic, beautifully captured the warmth and simplicity of village life, and gave me a brief but enchanting journey into this heartland. This immersive experience deepened my appreciation for our culture’s roots and the artistic ways it can be celebrated.

Skits That Speak: Drama as a Mirror to Society



The skits performed during the festival vividly brought social and religious realities to life. The first skit addressed the existing socio-religious tensions with stark honesty. Despite the minimalist costumes, the message was powerful, it showed how even simple theatre can evoke deep truths about society.


Another skit set in a courtroom stood out for its clever use of satire. An all-female cast passionately debated the hazards posed by processed foods, skillfully raising awareness about public health in an engaging way.

One emotional skit examined the growing emotional distance between generations. The portrayal of a young boy neglecting his parents, interspersed with flashbacks of their sacrifices, struck a chord, reminding everyone of the importance of family values and gratitude.

The commercial pressures of education and rising living costs were sharply critiqued in yet another skit. Scenes of parents struggling with expensive fees and wedding demands illustrated harsh realities, while the daughter’s wish for a simple ceremony highlighted the power of modesty and heartfelt connections amid societal pressures.

One Act Plays: Exploring Deep Social and Existential Themes

The one-act plays were among the most intense and thought-provoking parts of the festival. They did not just entertain; they deeply questioned issues of gender, power, and justice.

One play portrayed the ongoing struggle of village women battling physical inaccessibility to basic facilities, bureaucratic apathy, and societal indifference. The message was clear and powerful self-empowerment through raising one’s voice is the first step towards change.

A puppet play titled Kathputli ka Khel metaphorically showed how fate and social systems manipulate human lives. Bhima’s tragic end left me contemplating the classical tragic form’s power to evoke pity and fear, demonstrating how timeless themes find expression in contemporary theatre.


Another play envisioned a conversation between a soldier and a girl, breaking down constructed identities of enmity. Their exchange emphasized how empathy arising from personal connection can overcome political and religious divides a message I found vital in today’s world.

The last one-act drama focused on Ganga, a woman subjected to layered violence religious betrayal, systemic neglect, and legal hostility. The absence of resolution and Ganga’s continuous rejection by society left me with feelings of frustration and a call to question societal hypocrisy. This play was not just storytelling; it felt like a sharp social accusation challenging us all.

Folk Dance: Celebrating Indigenous Rhythms and Stories


Watching the folk and tribal dance performances was like witnessing the heart of India’s cultural soul. The performers’ vibrant costumes, rhythmic steps, and infectious joy were mesmerizing. Their dances were not just routines for competition; they were vibrant stories of community, nature, and ancient traditions that continue to live and breathe in the youth.

The grace and power of the dancers women adorned with ghagras and silver jewelry, men with robust energy created a rich spectacle. The passion and unselfconscious celebration drew me and the audience into their world, reminding me that such intangible heritage is alive, dynamic, and thrives through active youthful participation.

Folk Orchestra: A Symphony of Cultural Continuity


The festival’s concluding folk orchestra provided a musical tapestry that beautifully united ancient rhythms and collective memory. Instruments like the dhol, shehnai, and manjira conversed in a complex dialogue rich with cultural significance. This was not merely entertainment but a profound reaffirmation of our regional identity and the living continuity of folk traditions.

Lalitkala Vibhag: The Quiet Power of Visual Arts


Visiting the Lalitkala Vibhag was a quiet yet powerful counterpoint to the festival’s vibrant performances. Here, visual artists transformed materials like clay, paper, and pigment into profound statements. The art was not ephemeral but designed to provoke thought and linger in memory.


The rangoli competition stood out as an exquisite metaphor for impermanence. Each geometric, colorful design was a temporary mandala representing unity, youthfulness, and the cycles of life and art. Watching rangoli creation felt like witnessing a communal, silent meditation—an act of creation celebrated for its process and fleeting beauty.

The Department of English: Talent Across Forms of Expression

I felt immense pride seeing my department’s interdisciplinary talent shine across the festival’s many categories. Classical vocal and instrumental performances by Radhika Mehta and Sandipkumar Jethava beautifully communicated the depths of Indian music traditions.

Our literary talents also flourished: Rutvi Pal, Sanket Vavadiya, and Rajdeep Bavaliya excelled in quizzes while Sejad Chokiya and Bhargav Makawana showed remarkable rhetorical skills in elocution and debates.

The fine arts competitions revealed the versatility of our department: spontaneous Instant Paintings by Jaypal Gohel, conceptual Paper Collages from Vanita Baraiya, communicative Poster Making by Divya Paledhara, expressive Clay Modelling by Krishna Vala, sharp Cartooning from Shruti Sonani, and culturally meaningful Rangoli by Jyoti Mer.

This vibrant participation confirmed to me that the study of literature and the arts go hand in hand, nurturing not only intellectual but also creative courage.

Final Reflections: Bhav Gunjan as a Canvas of Youthful Creativity

Reflecting on my experience at Bhav Gunjan Youth Festival 2025, I realize it was much more than a set of performances and competitions. It was a dynamic ecosystem where art became a language for expressing complex social realities, emotions, and cultural identity.

The festival beautifully blended entertainment with critical social messages. Youth from all backgrounds used diverse artistic forms to question, inspire, and celebrate, unifying through their shared creative spirit.

For me, Bhav Gunjan reaffirmed the essential unity of all art forms and the power of youth as custodians and innovators of culture. It created a space where creativity met dialogue, joy met reflection, and heritage met innovation.

I feel motivated to carry forward this spirit to explore, express, and celebrate our vibrant youth culture in ways that honor both tradition and progress.

Bhav Gunjan was truly a resonance of emotions and ideas a testament to the transformative potential of art and the fearless voice of youth in shaping our world.