'Kajari' festival begins in Mumbai tomorrow

Top singers from across the country will take part in a 16-day-long festival celebrating 'Kajari', a famous form of semi-classical singing popular in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, that begins from here tomorrow.
Prominent personalties like Maharashtra Minister Pankaja Munde and actress Poonam Dhillon will attend the inaugural function. Chief of Mumbai BJP Ashish Shelar would inaugurate the festival by lighting a lamp.
On the occasion, Munde and Dhillon would felicitate Poonam Sinha (wife of actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha), ace shooter Anjali Bhagawat, former MP and TV actor Deepika Chikhlia (Sita of 'Ramayan' fame) for their outstanding contributions to society. They were chosen for honour by social organisation Abhiyan, the organiser of the festival.

General Secretary of Mumbai BJP and Convenor of Abhiyan Amarjeet Mishra said, "This series of festival would be organised at 20 places of the city and is expected to be attended by thousands of classical song lovers who will get a taste of the extremely popular folklore in Mumbai."
At a time when Western culture has overshadowed our traditional ways of entertainment, Kajari will provide an indigenous touch to entertainment, he said.
"The new generation is going away from our traditional ways of living. Kajari will connect people with their roots," said Mishra.
He said this is the 11th consecutive year when the festival is being held in Mumbai.

This year the festival will highlight the "Beti Bachao, Beti Paddhao" scheme launched by the Modi government to encourage birth and education of girls.