Atal Birth Centenary to be marked with cultural programmes across Uttar Pradesh

Uttar Pradesh is set to witness a statewide cultural tribute on December 25, marking the birth anniversary of Bharat Ratna and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

On the occasion, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil the 65-foot-tall bronze statues of three senior leaders of the Jansangh tradition—Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee—at the newly developed Rashtriya Prerna Sthal, spread across 65 acres.

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Alongside this historic moment, the Uttar Pradesh Department of Culture is organising special cultural programmes associated with Atal ji’s life and his public journey across districts, including Lucknow, Agra (Bateshwar), Balrampur, and Sitapur. These programmes are dedicated to cultural awareness, folk traditions, and national inspiration.

State Tourism and Culture Minister Jaiveer Singh said that Atal ji’s birth centenary is being observed as a meaningful occasion to connect people with the values of nationalism, culture and public service. He said that under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi and the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Rashtriya Prerna Sthal is being developed as a symbol of national inspiration, cultural pride and collective consciousness.

As part of the tribute, the Department of Culture has curated performances at locations connected with Atal ji’s memories, ideas and public life. On December 25, cultural presentations will be held at Rashtriya Prerna Sthal, where artists Chanchal Banjara and Pranav Singh will perform, along with programmes at other identified districts across the state.

The Atal Birth Centenary celebrations will showcase a wide range of cultural forms. From Gomti Riverfront in Lucknow to Bateshwar in Agra, and from Balrampur to Sitapur, audiences will experience poetry recitals, folk singing, Sufi music, puppetry, shehnai performances, Alha singing, Rajasthani folk dance, magic shows and traditional dance forms such as Bam Rasiya, Dhobiya, Faruwahi, and Mayur dance.

As per the programme schedules, poets, folk singers, dancers and cultural performers will present at multiple venues, reflecting the diversity and richness of Uttar Pradesh’s cultural heritage.

Rashtriya Prerna Sthal houses 65-foot-tall bronze statues of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee. More than Rs 21 crore has been spent by the Uttar Pradesh Department of Culture on the construction of these statues. A museum has also been developed at the site, preserving important milestones and memories from the lives of these three national figures.