Jalandhar April 3 (Jaswinder Singh Azad)- The second day of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Rajeshwari Kala Sangam, Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, and the 6th Rajeshwari Kala Mahotsav witnessed a magnificent performance by celebrity singer Mrs. Malini Awasthi
The second day of Rajeshwari Kala Sangam, the Golden Jubilee of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, and the 6th Rajeshwari Kala Mahotsav was an amalgamation of artists and art lovers.
The day commenced with the Hawan Ceremony, seeking the blessings of the Divine Power, followed by the plantation of a sapling by esteemed Madam Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia (Chairman, Apeejay Education; Chairman, Apeejay Stya and Svran Group; Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University).
Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia presided over the evening function as the Chief Guest, and the presence of Madam Dr. Neha Berlia, Co-owner and Director (Family Business Board) – Apeejay Stya and Svran Group, Lead – Education Vertical, Apeejay Education, Pro-Chancellor – Apeejay Stya University) added much charm and grace to the occasion, making it more memorable and delightful.
While lighting the holy flame with sacred Sanskrit verses in the background, Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia, Dr. NehaBerlia, Mrs. Malini Awasthi, Dr. Prem Singh, Dr. Sucharita Sharma, Mr. Nirmal Mahajan, and Dr. Neerja Dhingra sought blessings from God for the success of the programme.
Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr. Neha Berlia warmly welcomed Padma Shree awardee Mrs. Malini Awasthi
Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr. Neha Berlia warmly welcomed Padma Shree awardee Mrs. Malini Awasthi and Punjab’s famous visual artist Dr. Prem Singh with fragrant bouquets. Dr. Sucharita Sharma, Director, Apeejay Education, and Dr. Neerja Dhingra, Principal, Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar, presented bouquets to Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr. Neha Berlia.
In her welcome address, Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra welcomed all the distinguished guests and legendary artists. She took this moment to salute the spirit of Dr. Stya Paul Ji, a visionary and the personification of grit and dedication, who created this Kala Mandir. She added that Madam Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia is a bright, determined, dutiful, experienced, and farsighted leader. Her presence as the Chief Guest infuses positive energy into everyone and inspires them to move ahead continuously. Speaking about Madam Dr. NehaBerlia, she said, “She is the one who blends modernism with traditional ways, making invaluable contributions to education by making it employment-oriented. She encourages everyone to explore new dimensions and expand students’ imagination beyond the curriculum.”
A short film on the life journey of Dr. Stya Paul, the Founder Chairman of Apeejay Education, was shown, reflecting on key moments of his life, his vision, and his true nature as a ‘Karmayogi.’
Madam Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia first expressed her gratitude
Addressing the august gathering, Madam Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia first expressed her gratitude and bowed her head in remembrance of the Founder Chairman and her father, Dr. Stya Paul Ji, who personified grit, determination, and hard work. Speaking about him, she said he was born an ordinary person, but the values he imbibed throughout his life and left behind made him extraordinary. She added that this is one of the reasons why they truly take inspiration from him—he believed in the originality and holistic growth of a human being, whether emotional, spiritual, or physical.
Addressing the students in particular, she said, “Dr. Stya Paul Ji truly believed that the Divine spark lies within us, and one must look within to find that source of inspiration and become the grandest version of themselves. Integrity is key, and success will follow automatically.” She encouraged the younger generation to become good human beings first, imbibe good values, and seek true happiness, which is the essence of life.
She also extended a gracious welcome to the exceptional artists—Padma Shree Mrs. Malini Awasthi and Triennale awardee Dr. Prem Singh.
Praising Padma Shree Mrs. Malini Awasthi, she said, “She has been enthralling audiences in India and abroad with her soulful renditions of Indian folk music, earning her immense popularity as the Queen of Folk Singing.” Speaking about Dr. Prem Singh, she described him as a true master of his craft, a visual artist whose work transcends the boundaries of creativity and innovation. His paintings are not just art; they are dialogues that tell an inspirational story.
She also reminisced about the old days when ACFA was still RKS and cherished her precious time spent on the campus, learning art and sharing valuable moments with her parents. She concluded her address by announcing that Rajeshwari Kala Mahotsav will now be an annual event and that scholarships for budding artists will soon be introduced.
The National Youth Festival winners—Harsifat, Jasleen, Shivam, Anjali, Ghazal, and Rahul—delivered a melodious symphony of Western songs, prepared under the guidance of Dr. Arun Mishra.
Madam Dr. Neha Berlia expressed her joy at witnessing the realization of the Worthy Founder Chairman Dr. Stya Paul Ji’s vision
In her address, Madam Dr. Neha Berlia expressed her joy at witnessing the realization of the Worthy Founder Chairman Dr. Stya Paul Ji’s vision through this magnificent, multi-dimensional, and premier institution. She said, “I feel overwhelmed to see the tender seeds sown by my worthy grandfather, Dr. Stya Paul Ji, grow into a splendid tree bearing the rich fruits of knowledge and multifarious art forms.”
She added that Dr. Stya Paul Ji firmly believed in the transformative power of knowledge and the arts. For him, education was more than just a means to earn a livelihood—it was a way to shape a meaningful and impactful life. She credited the success of this institution to the pioneering leadership of esteemed Madam Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia, who has been at the forefront of transforming education in India. Her efforts have ensured that Apeejay Institutions remain committed to academic excellence while embracing advancements in education, art, and technology.
On this occasion, Khushi, a student from the Department of Dance and a National Youth Festival winner, presented a mesmerizing Kathak performance that captivated the audience prepared under the guidance of Dr. Micky Verma.
The evening also saw Padma Shree Mrs. Malini Awasthi and Triennale awardee Dr. Prem Singh
The evening also saw Padma Shree Mrs. Malini Awasthi and Triennale awardee Dr. Prem Singh being felicitated with the Rajeshwari Kala Samman – Lifetime Achievement Award for their contributions to the fields of Performing Arts and Visual Arts, respectively. The awards were presented by Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr. NehaBerlia.
The highlight of the evening was the rendition of Ghazals and Sufiana Kalams by Padma Shree Mrs. Malini Awasthi, who is unmatched in Thumri and Kajri singing and possesses vast knowledge of Hindustani music. She mesmerized the audience with her soothing voice and spellbinding performance.
It is worth mentioning that Mrs. Malini Awasthi is a disciple of Padma Vibhushan Vidushi Girija Devi, a connoisseur of ‘Chaumukhi Gayan’ of the Banaras Gharana. Mrs. Awasthi, who was already a popular artist by the time she started training under her guru, learned Purab Ang Gayaki, of which she is an acclaimed exponent today.
During her performance, Mrs. Awsthi was accompanied by Pandit Ram Kumar Mishra on Tabla and Sh. Dharam Nath Mishra on Harmonium.
Mrs. Malini Awasthi expressed her gratitude for this distinguished award and considered herself privileged to receive it from an institution that is itself a personification of art.
Dr. Sucharita Sharma and Dr. Neerja Dhingra presented Madam Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr. Neha Berlia with a memento as a token of love and gratitude, making this historic moment even more memorable. The evening concluded with the National Anthem.