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News18
17-05-2025
- General
- News18
How The UP Government Is Bringing Dwapar Yug To Life In Vrindavan's Forests
Last Updated: The Uttar Pradesh government is reviving 36 sacred forest sites in Vrindavan by planting trees from Lord Krishna's era, blending mythology, biodiversity, and cultural heritage 'Dwapar Yug' is all set to come alive for those visiting the ancient forests of Vrindavan, as the Uttar Pradesh government prepares to give a mythological makeover to these sacred groves—believed to be the very land where Lord Krishna once lived and played. With a major eco-restoration project underway, the initiative aims to revive Vrindavan's ancient forests by planting trees mentioned in Krishna's era, blending ecology with spirituality to recreate the timeless charm of Braj. The Uttar Pradesh Braj Teerth Vikas Parishad has undertaken this ambitious eco-restoration drive, targeting 36 ancient forest sites across a vast area of 487 hectares in Vrindavan. The Parishad's environmental advisor, Mukesh Sharma, revealed that plantation work has begun in the Sunrakh Reserve Forest area and will be executed in three phases, with an estimated budget of around Rs 90 crore. 'This project is not merely about planting trees; it is about restoring a cultural and spiritual heritage deeply linked to Krishna's divine pastimes," said Sharma. Removing Invasive Species, Reviving Native Flora One of the key objectives is to remove the invasive and harmful Prosopis juliflora, locally known as 'vilayati babool', which has overrun these forests—turning the soil barren and threatening local flora and fauna. Replacing it with native broad-leaved species like Krishna Kadamb (Mitragyna parviflora), Pipal (Ficus religiosa), Bargad (Ficus benghalensis), and Tamal (Garcinia xanthochymus) will help restore ecological balance while reviving the mythological essence of the region. Since Vrindavan lies within the Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), a Supreme Court-designated eco-sensitive area, special permission was required to proceed with tree cutting and plantation. An interlocutory application was filed in Writ Petition No. 13381/1984, and after inspection by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the Supreme Court approved the project on December 12, 2023. This marks the first time an eco-restoration initiative has been permitted inside the TTZ. The detailed restoration plans were developed after extensive surveys and technical consultations with scientists from the Forest Research Institute, Dehradun. Soil testing across all sites helped create a blueprint tailored to the unique ecological needs of each forest block. Sharma said, 'We are blending scientific precision with cultural respect to ensure that these forests not only survive but thrive as living testaments to Krishna's legacy." Trees With Deep Spiritual Significance The plantation will include species that hold deep cultural and spiritual significance, such as Peeloo (Salvadora oleoides), Maulshree (Mimusops elengi), Aam (Mangifera indica), Bel (Aegle marmelos), Amla (Phyllanthus emblica), Baheda (Terminalia bellirica), Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), and Palaash (Butea monosperma). These trees are valued not only for their ecological benefits but also for their association with the traditions of ancient Braj and Krishna's life stories. Project Launch And Vision For A Green Braj A formal field workshop to mark the project's launch was recently held at the Sunrakh Forest Block, chaired by Shailja Kant Mishra, Vice-Chairman of the Parishad. He highlighted the importance of the initiative, saying, 'Reviving these forests is an act of devotion as much as it is an ecological necessity. We want every visitor to feel the presence of Krishna's Vrindavan in every shade and scent." Promoting Biodiversity, Eco-Tourism, And Local Livelihoods Officials with the UP Government said the restoration effort is expected to boost biodiversity, improve air and soil quality, and promote eco-tourism, while also creating livelihood opportunities for local communities involved in plantation and forest management. 'Special measures are planned to prevent the regrowth of invasive species and to monitor the health of the saplings over the coming years," they added. First Published: May 17, 2025, 15:54 IST
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
India is witnessing a cultural revival: folk singer Malini Awasthi
Hema Sharma Turns Heads at Airport Folk songs that have been buried for years are now making a comeback just like old traditions, says renowned singer Malini Awasthi , who has worked for years on documenting and popularising the genre in India and beyond. The Padma Shri awardee , a classically trained musician, is famous for her mastery over folk songs in dialects such as Braj, Bundeli, Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Kashika - a mix of Bhojpuri and Hindi spoken in can easily traverse through complicated classical ragas, ghazals and songs in folk traditions like kajri, chaiti, dadra, phaag and sohar."I feel very happy that folk songs that were buried for years -- songs that people knew but weren't sung anymore -- are now being listened to around the world... Folk songs are an integral part of our culture and carry the memory of our people. For example, if you go to villages, every wedding has at least 50 different kinds of songs connected to its rituals."India is witnessing a cultural revival and old traditions are being accepted again and that's true for folk songs as well. Fame, money, work -- that's ok but the satisfaction that you get when your purpose is fulfilled is different," Awasthi told PTI in an singer, 58, started at a time when the scene was dominated by vulgar songs, especially in Bhojpuri. And it has taken her four decades to establish an alternate identity as the folk queen of India, she said."Our language has given us so much respect and dignity, and yet, some artists turned it into something vulgar. People who didn't know the depth of the language would judge it based on just these songs. My competition was with a kind of singing where women were more often seen as products."But what I was doing was different - I was singing about farming, songs related to sowing and harvesting seasons, about rains and lack of it, songs that children sing when they play, songs about childbirth and festivals. That took time to change."Awasthi, who has sung only a limited number of Bollywood songs despite many offers over the years, said it was hard to resist the temptation."Who doesn't like to sing for films? But the strength to say no -- that the lyrics are not good enough, so I won't sing it -- that kind of strength in a singer is rare. Most performers don't think too much. They feel, 'It's just a song and it does not matter how it is shot.' But I drew a line."Growing up in a family of doctors in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, Awasthi said she always had a fondness for music and her mother, though not a singer, recognised her talent early."And that was such a blessing. She encouraged me a lot - I was around five or six years old and started learning classical music under the guidance of Ustaad Rahat Ali Khan sahab. There was a beautiful musical atmosphere father, a doctor, would often be visited by Bhojpuri-speaking patients and a young Malini would pick up the dialects from them."So when I sing classical music, ghazals - and especially when I sing folk songs - it all flows naturally."Awasthi said she slowly veered towards folk music despite her classical training as she realised that while people loved her rendition of classical songs, she would see their eyes change when she sang folk started performing professionally from the age of 19 that gave her a sense of independence from an early age -- whether it was opening her own bank account, earning money or performing with seniors."I learned to read audiences: what they liked, what they didn't understand, when they were with you and when they weren't. That was tremendous training," she said, adding that her pace slowed a bit with marriage, kids and responsibilities but she never let the music that's why, she has learned to keep pace with times when it comes to technology."If I want the younger generation, glued to phones and screens, to listen to old songs, I have to be tech-friendly. Whether that's social media or uploading songs to YouTube - I had to evolve."Awasthi said she never prepared a list for the songs that she performs at concerts. They all are dictated by audience demand."Our gurus told us to memorise everything because in times of need, the diary won't help... As I gained experience and could read audiences better, I learned that it's both easier and more challenging to flow with them. That confidence only comes when you have 200-300 songs ready in your memory bank.""I believe music - especially folk music - should flow like a pure, natural stream. It needs a heart and mind, not a script or a notebook."What's the next goal for her now? Teaching and documentation of folk is her reply."These traditions shouldn't disappear. Yes, they are in books, but we need documentation of 'surs' too. That's why I do workshops every year. We teach folk songs... many married women see me performing regularly, and they realise they too can have a career in music and live a life beyond family," said singer runs non-profit organisation Sonchiraiya, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving Indian folk and tribal said when she is singing in a foreign country be it South Korea or Spain, she always tries to convey the emotion behind the folk song that she is about to perform through an interpreter and sometimes on her own in English.
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
India is witnessing a cultural revival: folk singer Malini Awasthi
New Delhi, Folk songs that have been buried for years are now making a comeback just like old traditions, says renowned singer Malini Awasthi, who has worked for years on documenting and popularising the genre in India and beyond. India is witnessing a cultural revival: folk singer Malini Awasthi The Padma Shri awardee, a classically trained musician, is famous for her mastery over folk songs in dialects such as Braj, Bundeli, Awadhi, Bhojpuri and Kashika - a mix of Bhojpuri and Hindi spoken in Varanasi. She can easily traverse through complicated classical ragas, ghazals and songs in folk traditions like kajri, chaiti, dadra, phaag and sohar. "I feel very happy that folk songs that were buried for years songs that people knew but weren't sung anymore are now being listened to around the world... Folk songs are an integral part of our culture and carry the memory of our people. For example, if you go to villages, every wedding has at least 50 different kinds of songs connected to its rituals. "India is witnessing a cultural revival and old traditions are being accepted again and that's true for folk songs as well. Fame, money, work that's ok but the satisfaction that you get when your purpose is fulfilled is different," Awasthi told PTI in an interview. The singer, 58, started at a time when the scene was dominated by vulgar songs, especially in Bhojpuri. And it has taken her four decades to establish an alternate identity as the folk queen of India, she said. "Our language has given us so much respect and dignity, and yet, some artists turned it into something vulgar. People who didn't know the depth of the language would judge it based on just these songs. My competition was with a kind of singing where women were more often seen as products. "But what I was doing was different - I was singing about farming, songs related to sowing and harvesting seasons, about rains and lack of it, songs that children sing when they play, songs about childbirth and festivals. That took time to change." Awasthi, who has sung only a limited number of Bollywood songs despite many offers over the years, said it was hard to resist the temptation. "Who doesn't like to sing for films? But the strength to say no that the lyrics are not good enough, so I won't sing it that kind of strength in a singer is rare. Most performers don't think too much. They feel, 'It's just a song and it does not matter how it is shot.' But I drew a line." Growing up in a family of doctors in Kannauj, Uttar Pradesh, Awasthi said she always had a fondness for music and her mother, though not a singer, recognised her talent early. "And that was such a blessing. She encouraged me a lot — I was around five or six years old and started learning classical music under the guidance of Ustaad Rahat Ali Khan sahab. There was a beautiful musical atmosphere around. Her father, a doctor, would often be visited by Bhojpuri-speaking patients and a young Malini would pick up the dialects from them. "So when I sing classical music, ghazals — and especially when I sing folk songs — it all flows naturally.' Awasthi said she slowly veered towards folk music despite her classical training as she realised that while people loved her rendition of classical songs, she would see their eyes change when she sang folk songs. She started performing professionally from the age of 19 that gave her a sense of independence from an early age whether it was opening her own bank account, earning money or performing with seniors. "I learned to read audiences: what they liked, what they didn't understand, when they were with you and when they weren't. That was tremendous training," she said, adding that her pace slowed a bit with marriage, kids and responsibilities but she never let the music go. And that's why, she has learned to keep pace with times when it comes to technology. "If I want the younger generation, glued to phones and screens, to listen to old songs, I have to be tech-friendly. Whether that's social media or uploading songs to YouTube — I had to evolve.' Awasthi said she never prepared a list for the songs that she performs at concerts. They all are dictated by audience demand. "Our gurus told us to memorise everything because in times of need, the diary won't help... As I gained experience and could read audiences better, I learned that it's both easier and more challenging to flow with them. That confidence only comes when you have 200-300 songs ready in your memory bank.' "I believe music — especially folk music — should flow like a pure, natural stream. It needs a heart and mind, not a script or a notebook.' What's the next goal for her now? Teaching and documentation of folk is her reply. "These traditions shouldn't disappear. Yes, they are in books, but we need documentation of 'surs' too. That's why I do workshops every year. We teach folk songs... many married women see me performing regularly, and they realise they too can have a career in music and live a life beyond family," said Awasthi. The singer runs non-profit organisation Sonchiraiya, which is dedicated to promoting and preserving Indian folk and tribal arts. Awasthi said when she is singing in a foreign country be it South Korea or Spain, she always tries to convey the emotion behind the folk song that she is about to perform through an interpreter and sometimes on her own in English. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
CM Yogi's film subsidy set to steal spotlight at WAVES in Mumbai
Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath 's lucrative film subsidy policy will be the spotlight at the inaugural World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) that aims to position India as a global media, entertainment and creative innovation hub. Film Bandhu Uttar Pradesh 's pavilion stall is already making heads turn at Jio World Convention Centre at Bandra in Mumbai that will host the event from May 1-4. The event, which will bring together officials from 33 countries, industry leaders and eminent filmmakers, is set to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday. A large number of A-list celebs like Shah Rukh Khan, Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Aamir Khan, Allu Arjun are expected to take part in the summit for panel discussions. Talking to TOI, Gyan Arya, head assistant, Film Bandhu, said: "Visitors are stopping at the stall pavilion of the Film Bandhu and enquiring about the beautiful locations of Uttar Pradesh displayed on the wall." He said UP has become a hub of film shoots under the Yogi govt, which is giving a lot of attention to the filmmakers. In 2024-25, a grant of about Rs 17.6 crore was distributed to 48 films by Film Bandhu to lure filmmakers to the state. Through the platform of WAVES, filmmakers and creators can easily broadcast their products. This is the best opportunity for all creators, big and small, he added. Officials said filmmakers get 50% subsidy of total cost for Awadhi, Braj, Bundeli and Bhojpuri films and maximum of 25% of the total cost for Hindi films and Rs 1 crore for films shot for at least a half of total shooting days in UP. The films for which two-third of its total shooting days are in Uttar Pradesh is entitled for a subsidy up to a maximum limit of Rs 2 Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj alone, various OTT documentaries, roughly around 500, were shot around the Sangam City. The International Film City, a visionary project led by CM Yogi, is under development in Greater Noida's Sector-21. The complex features distinct zones for different purposes.
