Governor Inaugurates Five-Day Shimla Summer Festival; Cultural Performances Captivate Audience

Shimla, June 1:
The five-day International Summer Festival Shimla 2025 began on a grand note Sunday evening, with Governor of Himachal Pradesh Shiv Pratap Shukla lighting the ceremonial lamp to formally inaugurate the event. Also present were Lady Governor Janaki Shukla, Governor’s Secretary C.P. Verma, several municipal councillors, Additional Deputy Commissioner Abhishek Verma, and other dignitaries. Anupam Kashyap, Deputy Commissioner and Chairperson of the Summer Festival Organizing Committee, welcomed and honoured the chief guest and invited guests.

The highlight of the opening night was a captivating performance by noted playback singer Nidhi Rastogi, whose soulful renditions mesmerized the audience. Students from Government Senior Secondary Schools—Lal Pani, Lakkar Bazaar, and Sanjauli, along with IVY World School and Maria Montessori School, brought colour and vibrancy to the evening with their lively cultural presentations. Renowned ghazal artist Mithilesh Lakhnavi added to the charm with his evocative poetry and music.

Folk Performances Showcase India’s Rich Cultural Tapestry

A vibrant burst of folk traditions was presented by artists from the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala, featuring performers from Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. Their traditional acts offered a rich glimpse into the cultural heritage of the northern region.

Local Himachali folk artists, including Prakash Sharma, Sheetal Bagri, Meena Banerjee, Sita Ram Bagri, Mahendra Sharma, Suresh Sharma, and Rohini Dogra, enthralled the crowd with high-spirited Pahadi folk songs that had audiences clapping and dancing along.

Deputy CM to Attend Second Cultural Evening

The second cultural evening of the festival will feature Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri as the chief guest. A comic poetry session—the highlight of the night—will see some of India’s most celebrated poets take the stage to entertain audiences with humour and wit.

With such an enthusiastic start, the Shimla Summer Festival promises to fill the city with the vibrant spirit of culture, music, and entertainment in the days to come.