Kamala Nehru College, University of Delhi, commenced its annual cultural festival, Ullas 2026, on April 9. The two-day fest was built around the theme “Dharohar – The Heritage,” celebrating womanhood as a living embodiment of culture, tradition, and legacy.The festival opened with an inaugural ceremony graced by the Chief Guest, Vrinda Khana, National Secretary, Sant Eshwer Foundation, and Director, Pragyan Impact Solutions. In her keynote address, she highlighted the importance of staying connected to one’s roots in a globalised world. She remarked, “The world is embracing your heritage; it is time you do the same.”
Inset: KNC Principal Prof (Dr) Pavitra Bhardwaj (L) and Dr Mamta Bhushan (R ), student union advisor (Pics: KNC)
Prof. (Dr.) Pavitra Bhardwaj, principal of KNC, described the theme as both timely and meaningful, emphasizing that heritage is not just about the past but about identity and continuity. She remarked, “students should take pride in their roots while embracing progress”. She also stated that true confidence comes from self-acceptance rather than imitation. The highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the annual stage production ‘Avasana’ of ‘Lakshya’, the Theatre Society of the college. It was an engaging Yakshagana-inspired play.The campus came alive as a vibrant cultural space, adorned with décor curated by ‘Luminoso’, the Fine Arts Society, featuring handmade artwork by students, warm lighting, and paper lamps. Alongside, a diverse range of stalls from food and beverage counters to crochet, jewellery, clothing, and other small creative exhibits, became lively hubs of interaction and engagement, driven by student-led initiatives.
Rajat Rathor (L), DJ Kashish Rathore (R )
The fest witnessed a range of cultural performances and inter-college activities organised by student societies. Students from Kirori Mal College (KMC), Hindu College, Gargi College, Lady Shri Ram College for Women (LSR), and Miranda House participated enthusiastically and won prizes in various competitions organised by societies of KNC, contributing to the vibrancy and strong sense of community at the event.Among the highlights was ‘Dev Bhoomi’, the Uttarakhand Society, which presented the traditional ‘Jagar’ folk dance on the college grounds, alongside ‘Orchid’, the North-East Society, which showcased the rich cultural diversity of the region through its performance.A standout highlight of the fest on the second day was the performance by the ‘Sapera Been Party’, a renowned traditional musical troupe known for preserving and presenting the folk heritage of Haryana. Playing the traditional ‘been’, their performance, rooted in indigenous rhythms and melodies, offered a unique cultural experience and resonated strongly with the theme of the festival.
Sapera Been Party, a renowned traditional musical troupe
The fest featured live performances across both days, including a set by singer Rajat Rathor on the first day, who even invited a student on stage to sing, drawing an enthusiastic response from the audience. The second day concluded with a high-energy performance by DJ Kashish Rathore, whose electrifying set had the crowd completely energized, bringing the celebrations to a vibrant close.Rajeshwari Shelke, Student Union President, noted that the fest brought together diverse talents and ideas, fostering a strong sense of community while celebrating creativity and cultural heritage. More than just a celebration, Ullas 2026 highlighted how relevant and meaningful heritage continues to be today. By placing womanhood at its core, the festival created a space that honoured tradition while also allowing students to engage with it in their own way.
