Highlights of Youth Festival 2025

 youth Festival 2025 

This blog is written as a task assigned by the head of the Department of English (MKBU), Prof. and Dr. Dilip Barad Sir. 

This blog focuses on the highlights of the Youth Festival 2025, which took place at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University (MKBU) from 8th October to 11th October, 2025.

As per the tradition, this time also MKBU celebrated its 33rd Youth Festival with the title 'Bhav-Gunjan Yuvak Mahotsav 2025,' which was hosted by the Physical Education and Cultural Department.

Here is the brochure and time-table:

8th October'2025

The Youth Festival began with the Kala Yatra on October 8, which marked the start of the celebration. In this event, different colleges and departments presented social messages through creative performances. The Kala Yatra parade started from Shamaldas Arts College and ended at J.K. Sarvaiya College. Many strong themes were shown this year, such as the increase in rape cases, Gujarat’s culture, problems in the education system, and the bad effects of social media. Among all performances, Swami Sahajanand College won for their act on “Operation Sindhoor.”

9th October'2025

Opening Ceremony:

To watch the live stream check these videos here-

This video presents the performances regarding "SURGUNJAN" performed at New Court Hall.

This Video showcases the "RASAGUNJAN" event held at The Atal Auditorium. 

These Videos shows the performances regarding Tribal dance- "ADIVASINRITYA". These video  documents the live performances of folk and tribal dances on the main stage of the Bhav Gunjan Youth Festival at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University (MKBU)​. These vibrant performances not only display Gujarat’s diverse cultural heritage but also draw upon the region’s rich oral and literary traditions, as folk and tribal dances often narrate stories, represent regional myths, and embody poetic expressions preserved across generations​. The festival’s dance events are intertwined with literature through their use of song lyrics, narrative choreography, and dramatic themes each performance serving as a living archive of folk poetry, epics, and classic tales. By highlighting these art forms on a university stage, the Mahotsav bridges the gap between traditional literature and present-day creative interpretation, inspiring spectators and participants to rediscover and cherish their literary and cultural ancestry​. Thus, the festival exemplifies how literature, in both oral and written forms, continues to inform, inspire, and enrich collective cultural celebration through dance and performance.

10th October'2025

This video showcases the Dramatic performances "EKANKI" also called Single Act Play. This “ekanki” event is a part of the university’s broader efforts to promote literary and performing arts among students, providing a stage where texts are brought to life through dramatic interpretation and collaboration. Such performances closely connect with literature, as one-act plays often adapt or reinterpret stories from classic and contemporary works, embodying the core of literary narratives, character exploration, and thematic discourse. By staging these monodramas, youth participants not only hone their expressive skills but also contribute to a vibrant literary culture engaging the audience with living literature that explores social, ethical, and cultural ideas vital to both the academic and public sphere​. This fusion of text and stage exemplifies how university-level festivals revitalize literary appreciation and deepen communal dialogue through performance.

The video features a solo Western instrumental music performance as part of the Bhav Gunjan Youth Festival's third-day lineup at Maharaja Krishnakumarsinhji Bhavnagar University (MKBU). These instrumental performances showcase individual musical talents, drawing on traditions from Western classical and contemporary music to foster intercultural appreciation and celebrate modern artistic diversity within the youth festival context​.

The connection to literature emerges through the festival's emphasis on the performing arts as complementary vehicles for literary expression. Instrumental music and literature share narrative qualities: musical compositions can evoke moods, tell stories, and reflect themes commonly found in poetry and prose. At the Bhav Gunjan Youth Festival, music events like the Western instrumental solo provide a sensory and emotional counterpart to literary creativity, driving home the message that art whether verbal or musical can unite communities, communicate ideas, and enrich personal and collective experiences. This reinforces how literature’s power to inspire and move audiences often finds new form and resonance in music, bringing written and performed art into a shared cultural celebration.

These Videos showcases the "Western Intrumental(Solo)" performances.

This video showcases the "MIME" performances. In this evocative art form, performers narrate stories, depict themes, or dramatize emotions using only facial expressions and body movements, without spoken words or dialogue​. Mime is deeply connected to literature, as it visually enacts narratives, classic tales, or social issues that often originate from written texts or oral traditions. At youth festivals like this, mime acts commonly reinterpret major literary motifs—such as love, loss, or justice—thus making literature accessible to a broader audience by transcending language and focusing on universal human experiences. This synthesis of physical theatre and literary storytelling enhances the festival’s spirit of creativity and communication, reinforcing how artistic performance can reimagine and renew classic literary themes for contemporary viewers.

This Video highlights the "Western Intrumental singing (Group)" performances. This event showcases students performing popular Western songs, highlighting the intercultural artistic exchange and musical diversity embraced by the festival​. The connection to literature lies in the lyrical aspect of music, as song lyrics are a poetic form of literary expression. These Western songs convey stories, emotions, and themes such as love, hope, and life’s challenges that resonate deeply with the human experience, much like traditional poetry and prose. Through group singing, the festival celebrates literature’s ability to transcend language and cultural barriers, fostering emotional connection and shared understanding among the youth. This integration of literary lyricism into musical performance enriches the festival’s artistic tapestry, demonstrating how literature inspires and lives through multiple art forms.

This Video showcases the performances regarding "SHASTRIYA NRITYA". This event highlights traditional Indian classical dance forms such as Kathak, Bharatnatyam, and Odissi, performed with strict adherence to the classical rules of rhythm, expression (abhinaya), and gestures, presenting stories often derived from ancient Indian literature, mythology, and spiritual texts​. The connection to literature is intrinsic, as classical dance is essentially an embodied narrative art form that visually interprets poetic verses, mythological episodes, and philosophical themes from scriptures and literary epics. These performances bring literary texts to life through movement and emotion, making complex stories and cultural values accessible to contemporary audiences. Thus, the classical dance segment of the festival serves both to preserve and creatively reinterpret India's rich literary heritage, enhancing cultural literacy and artistic appreciation in the youth community.

This Video highlights the performances regarding “Folk Orchestra”.  This event highlights the use of indigenous musical instruments and folk melodies that preserve and celebrate regional cultural heritage. The connection to literature lies in the fact that folk music and oral traditions often incorporate poetic verses, stories, and local legends passed down through generations. These instruments and songs foster a collective memory and literary culture rooted in community life, narrative folklore, and expressive lyricism. By showcasing folk orchestral music at the festival, the youth engage with literary art in its most oral and performative form, reinforcing the enduring bond between music, narrative poetry, and cultural identity. This celebration of traditional literature through music enriches the festival’s artistic diversity and cultural depth.

The entire auditorium fell silent as our classmate Sandip Jethva took the stage. His mesmerizing performance of Raag Bhupali on the flute (bansuri) captivated everyone. By choosing this calm and soulful pentatonic raga, Sandip didn’t merely play the notes he wove an atmosphere of serenity and devotion. His music served as a gentle reminder that beyond the spirit of competition, the true essence of our culture lies in these eternal melodies that touch the heart.

This Video showcases the performances performed on "CREATIVE CHOREOGRAPHY".  This event highlights innovative and original dance routines that blend various styles and themes, reflecting contemporary youth culture and artistic experimentation. The connection to literature comes through the narrative and expressive elements of choreography, which often draw inspiration from literary themes, stories, emotions, and symbolism. Creative choreography can be seen as a form of interpretive storytelling that transforms written or oral literary motifs into physical movement, enabling performers and audiences to experience literature through a dynamic, visual medium. This artistic synthesis reinforces the festival’s commitment to celebrating not only traditional literature but also its evolving relationship with modern performance arts, encouraging a holistic engagement with creative expression among young artists.

This Video shows the "CLASSICAL SINGING (SOLO)" performances.

11th October'2025

This Video showcases the concluding activities of the Youth Festival "BHAV GUNJAN".

On the last day our seniors- Rajdeep Bavaliya, Rutvi Pal and Sanket Vavadiya who participated in the Quiz competition which was held at our Department, The Department Of English were given their medals and certificates of conquering the 2nd prize and Prakruti Bhatt ma'am and Megha Trivedi ma'am joined them.

Here is a photograph of the participants, the volunteers from The Department Of English along with our professors-

Later on the Quiz Competition winners were felicitated by the Head of Department Of English, Dr. Dilip Barad sir. 

Let’s take a look at some colorful glimpses that celebrate the energy, talent, and spirit of the Youth Festival

Kala Yatra:

News paper cutouts and final rankings:

Proud moments! Here are our talented classmates and seniors who brought glory in different competitions.

Rangoli:

Clay Modelling:

My experience throughout the Bhav Gunjan Yuvak Mahotsav 2025 at MKBU was a deeply enriching journey filled with vibrant artistic expressions and cultural immersion. I witnessed a diverse array of performances from the disciplined grace of classical dance to the emotive storytelling of mime and one-act plays, from the soulful resonance of folk orchestras to the innovative flair of creative choreography. Each event revealed the powerful connection between literature and performance, as stories, emotions, and cultural heritage came alive through movement, music, and drama. The energy and passion of the youth participants inspired you, showcasing how literature continues to thrive beyond the page, influencing and enhancing various art forms. This festival not only broadened my appreciation for the arts but also deepened your understanding of how literary themes and traditions are celebrated and preserved in contemporary youth culture. My engagement in these multifaceted events left me  with lasting inspiration and a renewed sense of the transformative power of creative expression.

Thank you!