Vedaaranya Heritage And Healing Festival – VHAH FEST 2022

VHAH FEST was launched in December 2016 at Ramgarh Shekhawati, as a collaboration between the Department of Art and Culture, Govt. of Rajasthan, and the Shruti Foundation to create awareness of our spectacular heritage a the Grassroots and to facilitate socio-economic stability in the beautiful but neglected region of Shekhawati.

They have had doyens and great exponents of Indian Culture and Traditions, Sonal Mansingh (Padma Vibhushan), Rajan Sajan Misra (Padma Bhushan), Shubha Mudgal (Padma Shree), Dr. Shovana Narayan (Padma Shree), Dr. Geeta Chandran (Padma Shree), the great Baul exponent Parvathy Baul, the world-renowned Percussionist Taufiq Qureshi, and well as great Indian Mathematicians, Experts of Indigenous Knowledge Systems of Conservation, cultural experts, and Indigenous healing experts who conduct special healing talks and session during the day. All this along with our own stalwarts of Rajasthan – The Manganiyaars, Langas, Kalbeliya Dancers, our local crafts and systems, Our main aim is to go beyond metro cities, to the heart of the specular Rajasthan heritage at the grassroots particularly the most intensely frescoed heritage region of Shekhawati, creating global awareness of tangible and intangible heritage with wellness, wonder, and celebration in a unique experience. 

Vedaaranya Heritage and Healing Festival or ” VHAH FEST 2022″ at Ramgarh Shekhawati is the sixth edition of this festival organized by the shruti foundation in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism and the Ministry of Art and Culture, Govt of Rajasthan. It brings together about 50 great artists, thinkers, mentors, healers, designers, entrepreneurs, Haveli owners, Government and institutional heads from India and abroad to Celebrate, Learn and Create at the festival, and explore the uniqueness of this great town along with the local community, particularly its women and youth.

The artists performing are – Keynote by Padma vibhushan Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Inaugural by Padma Bhushan Pdt. Sajan Misra and Swaransh Misra (Pdt Birju Maharaj’s son as a tribute to Pandit Birju Maharaj and Pandit Rajan Misra, Padmashree Geeta Chandran (Padmashree) and Sharaya Chandran performing “Dharohar”, Padmashree Guru Shovana Narayan performing “Moment of Love” between Satyavan and Savitri from Sri Aurobindo’s Savitri, the renowned author, producer-director Dr. Rama Pandey with 20 artists, Dr. Radhika Chopra (Renowned Ghazal Artist), the Manganiyaars and Kalbeliya dancers, Bhopa Bhopi of Shekhawati, Dr. Reema Hooja (Great Rajasthan Historian), Dr. Tripti Pandey – renowned exponent and author on Indian Heritage, Harsh Neotia (Ambuja Neotia Group Chairperson and native of Ramgarh Shekhawati, Madhu Neotia, Chairperson IICD, and many renowned Experts, Healers, Crafts Experts, Educationists, and others.

VHAH FEST 2022 will be structured as follows:

1. Morning and Evening Outstanding Cultural Performances from famous Artists in the premises of the one and only Veda temple of India at Ramgarh Shekhawati, dances of the Shekhawati Sand Dunes, Classical dances in the famous Ramayana Chatri, and cultural discussions in the spectacular Havelies of Ramgarh Shekhawati. We actively involve the women, local students, and youth as well to participate at the festival.
2. Kalamkari Adde (Craft Corners) – Durrie Weaving, Mehendi, Puppet making, mats, and Other crafts
3. Hunar-Shalas (Learning workshops) – Craftspersons from across Rajasthan, Vibrational healing, Heritage Practices, and Indigenous Knowledge Systems and techniques of restoration.
4. Vichaar Baithaks (Interactive session) on Shekhawati – Past, Present, and Future
5. Ramgarh Shekhawati Heritage Walk
6. Evening Cultural Addas
7. Pre-festival dance, music, and craft workshops with students
8. Post festival Monday morning with Nagaras playing at Shiv Temple on 14^th March

VHAH FEST March 10-13, 2022 will attract Heritage, Rural, Cultural, and Wellness Tourism. It particularly aims to support artists and crafts-persons severely affected financially by COVID, will engage and celebrate the best of Tangible and intangible heritage at the Grassroots with equal Participation of Local and Global artists, participants from across India, and audiences. Come for the Vedaaranya Experience and support the resurrection and celebration of Indian Heritage from the Grassroots at Ramgarh Shekhawati!