Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, June 2
As summer descends upon Shimla, a unique charm envelops the hill station. On Sunday evening, this enchantment was fully realised as the 2025 International Summer Festival opened against the breathtaking backdrop of the Himalayan foothills.
Inaugurated by Himachal Pradesh Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, the festival’s first cultural evening transformed the Ridge into a vibrant mosaic of music and movement. The spotlight belonged to Nidhi Rastogi, the acclaimed playback singer, whose soulful voice seemed to echo through the valleys, holding the audience in rapt attention.
Performers from Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir, brought together under the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, added a dynamic inter-state flair to the evening. The blend of traditional rhythms and contemporary choreography reflected the cultural diversity of northern India — and the spirit of Shimla itself.
But it was the local talent that tugged at heartstrings. Singers Prakash Sharma, Sheetal Bagdi, Meena Banerjee, Sita Ram Bagdi, Mahendra Sharma, Suresh Sharma, and Rohini Dogra showcased Himachal’s rich musical legacy, drawing warm applause and affectionate cheers from the crowd.
There was also a moment for poetic reflection: Mithilesh Lakhnavi’s ghazals—emotive, slow-burning—offered a quiet pause in an otherwise rhythmic night, his voice a bridge to nostalgia.
The evening was graced by Lady Governor Janaki Shukla, senior government officials, and Shimla residents who have watched the festival grow from a local celebration into a cultural landmark.
Adding youthful zest to the program, schoolchildren from Government Senior Secondary School Lalpani, IVY International School, Government Girls Senior Secondary School Lakkar Bazaar, Maria Montessori School, and Sanjauli Senior Secondary School performed folk and contemporary dances with remarkable confidence.
As the sun dipped behind the hills and the Ridge glowed under festival lights, it wasn’t just about entertainment. The evening stood as a tribute to shared culture, local pride, and the enduring charm of Shimla’s summer evenings.
