The Union Ministry of Culture will present a series of grand cultural performances to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, to be celebrated on Friday. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be the Chief Guest at the national event, which will pay tribute to the Iron Man of India and highlight the enduring spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
The highlight of the celebrations will be a grand dance choreography titled “Loh Purush Namastubhyam”, curated by the Sangeet Natak Akademi and the West Zone Cultural Centre under the Ministry of Culture. Conceived under the overall direction of Dr. Sandhya Purecha, Chairman of Sangeet Natak Akademi, the performance will feature over 800 artists from across the country.
The dance production portrays Ashta Tatva Ekatva – the concept of Unity in Diversity – through India’s major classical dance forms including Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Manipuri, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Sattriya, Mohiniattam, and Chhau. The lyrical narration has been penned and voiced by Ashok Chakradhar, with music composed by Bickram Ghosh and Ricky Kej (Eternal Sounds).
Another major attraction will be a musical ensemble on the theme “Vividhata Mein Ekta – Unity in Diversity”, showcasing traditional and folk instruments from nearly every Indian state. Conducted by Lokesh Anand and Pradyut Mukherjee, the performance will bring together musicians from across India in a resounding tribute to the nation’s cultural richness. The ensemble will culminate with a rendition of “Vande Mataram”, marking 150 years of Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s iconic patriotic composition.
On the eve of Ekta Diwas, a theatrical presentation titled “Loh Purush” was staged, depicting the life and legacy of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Written by Asif Ali Hyder, with research inputs from Rizwan Kadri and direction by Chittaranjan Tripathy, the play vividly portrayed Patel’s journey – from his early life and legal career to his crucial role in India’s independence movement and the historic unification of princely states. Through stirring performances and evocative storytelling, the production captured Patel’s enduring message that India’s strength lies in its unity and collective resolve.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas, observed annually on October 31, commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and reaffirms the ideals of national integration, peace, and unity. Instituted in 2014, the day honors Patel’s legacy as the architect of modern India. During the 2015 observance, Prime Minister Modi launched the Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat initiative to further strengthen cultural and emotional bonds among the people of India.