Poetic Brilliance and Laughter Mark the Grand Opening of Thakur Vedram Birth Anniversary at Bhuttico.
Shimla:
The birth anniversary celebrations of Thakur Vedram, the legendary figure of the cooperative movement, commenced with a spectacular “Kavya Sandhya” (Poetic Evening) at the Bhuttico auditorium in Kullu district on Monday. Organized annually in memory of the esteemed poet Purohit Chandrashekhar ‘Bebas’, the event brought together a galaxy of literary talents and dignitaries. The evening was presided over by the Chairman of Bhuttico and former Minister, Satyaprakash Thakur, while Dr. Roshan Lal, an eminent educationist and former Principal of the Government College, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
The poetic symposium opened with Darshil Thakur’s poignant tribute, ‘Karmyogi Thakur Vedram’, setting a respectful tone for the night. The legendary Sarla Chambiyal moved the audience with her song ‘Bhutti Weavers’, which celebrated the honest earnings and dedication of the cooperative’s workforce. As the evening progressed, the auditorium echoed with laughter thanks to Dhanesh Gautam, whose humorous satire in the ‘Saraji’ dialect left the spectators in fits of laughter. Ramesh Thakur further added local flavor with his verses in authentic Kulluvi, while Siddharth Sharma, the grandson of Purohit Chandrashekhar ‘Bebas’, shared emotional personal anecdotes that brought a sentimental warmth to the gathering.
The diversity of the event was reflected in the various languages and themes presented by the poets. Firasat Khan spoke on the sweetness of Urdu, while Devendra Gaur recited Punjabi poetry regarding the changing commercial landscape of Ludhiana. Administrative officer P.C. Bodh contributed with a poem in English, and other poets like Rekha Shahi, Professor Satish Kauda, Ishita Rajan, and Ganesh Ganni explored themes ranging from social change and religious history to the core philosophy of cooperation. The program was expertly moderated by Dr. Surat Thakur, who kept the momentum high with his engaging presentation style.
During the ceremony, Chief Guest Dr. Roshan Lal highlighted the inspiring legacies of both Thakur Vedram and Purohit Chandrashekhar ‘Bebas’, noting how their lives have served as a beacon for generations. Satyaprakash Thakur, former minister and Chairman of the Bhuttico expressed his gratitude to the literary community and announced that this poetic evening serves as the curtain-raiser for a series of events, culminating on April 21. On that day, the prestigious Thakur Vedram International and National Awards will be conferred upon distinguished personalities for their outstanding contributions to society. The evening concluded with the honoring of the family of the late ‘Bebas’, as well as Dr. Amar Dev (former Director of Higher Education) and all the participating poets, marking a successful start to the anniversary festivities.
