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“Leave the river alone” — Peepal Baba
“The river’s technology is four thousand million years old” — Peepal Baba
21st September, New Delhi: At the fifth Nadi Utsav organized by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, several environmentalists from across the country shared their views. During the valedictory session, held just before the cultural program, renowned environmentalist Swami Prem Parivartan, popularly known as Peepal Baba, and eminent scholar Prof. Molly Kaushal expressed their thoughts. During the session, the winners of the Nadi Utsav Film Festival were also awarded. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, through its Riverine Culture Project, conducts extensive research on India’s rivers and the rich cultures that flourish along their banks.
On the concluding day of the 5th Nadi Utsav at IGNCA, the celebration of rivers as the lifeblood of civilizations continued with a rich realm of events. Under the theme ‘Rivers in Reverse: Making of a Lifeline,’ the festival honoured the profound impact of rivers on culture, environment, and human progress. With seminars, workshops, film screenings, and exhibitions, Nadi Utsav not only explored the ecological significance of rivers but also highlighted their place in art, heritage, and the future of conservation. This reflects IGNCA’s commitment to fostering a deeper understanding of riverine traditions, as seen through its ongoing research efforts. The final day’s performances and exhibitions offered a meaningful reflection on India’s enduring river heritage.
During the valedictory session, Peepal Baba accentuated the immense power of public will, remarking, “The pressure of the people is the strongest force. The people are the real pressure group, for a nation belongs to its citizens, not its governments. Governments may come and go, but the voice of the people must always persist. He urged all to speak out; because expression is what drives action and your resolve should surpass theirs. Life without rivers is unimaginable, and events like Nadi Utsav should not only happen in every state but must also extend to the university level to cultivate deeper awareness.” He further emphasized the self-sustaining nature of rivers, saying, “Leave the rivers alone. Humans cannot purify them; they have the capacity to cleanse themselves—just avoid tampering. Rivers possess four thousand million years of wisdom in their natural processes. They belong to us, not to the government, which is why individual efforts play a vital role in their conservation.”
As the chair of the session, Prof. Molly Kaushal remarked, “We turned the river into a goddess and assumed that the goddess would take care of herself and also of us. Our ancestors didn’t just offer a spiritual outlook on nature; they also provided a scientific perspective. Unfortunately, we adopted the wrong aspects of the West while selectively taking what suited us from our own culture. We need to prepare the ground for new thinking, and it is the youth who will bring forward these new ideas. Whatever India is to become, whatever is to become of its rivers and mountains, it will be shaped by the youth.”
On the final day of Nadi Utsav 2024, a series of insightful film screenings and engaging academic sessions marked the culmination of the festival. The featured films included ‘Children of Banas’, ‘Ganga River from the Skies’, ‘ Yamuna: The River of Gods and Humans’—a production by IGNCA, ‘Jamana: The River Stories’, ‘Majuli: The Shrinking Island’, and the short film ‘Doodh Ganga : Valley’s Dying Lifeline’ along with other films on the same subject. These films beautifully captured the intricate relationship between rivers and human existence. The academic sessions were equally enriching, with the National Conference’s ‘Tales and Songs of the Rivers,’ chaired by Sh. Atul Jain, and ‘Let the River Flow,’ chaired by Dr. Hemant Dhyani, offering deep insights into the cultural and environmental narratives surrounding rivers. Subsequently workshops such as ‘River and I’ for children, a ‘Matka’ Painting Workshop, and a lecture demonstration on boat-making by Dr. Swarup Bhattacharya further enriched the day’s activities.
The day concluded by mesmerizing classical performances by Ms. Madhura, Ms. Bhairavi Kirpekar and their team, and soul-stirring Himachali folk songs by Shri Vikrant Bhandral and his group, providing a fitting tribute to India’s rich riverine culture. During the valedictory session, Abdul Rashid Bhatt’s short film ‘Doodhganga: Valley’s Dying Lifeline’ and Ratul Baruah’s documentary ‘Majuli: The Shrinking Island’ were awarded in their respective categories. The valedictory session was moderated by Shri Abhay Mishra, Convenor, Nadi Utsav and Prof. K. Anil Kumar, HoD, Janapada Sampada expressed gratitude and formal vote of thanks to the guests and visitors.
