“Vishwarang” – A Global Platform of Indian Culture

“Vishwarang”, founded by Santosh Choubey in 2019, has created a golden milestone on the global level in the fields of literature, art, and culture.

The first magnificent and grand edition of Vishwarang – Tagore International Literature and Arts Festival 2019, organized in India’s cultural capital Bhopal, received warm welcome worldwide. It has become unforgettable, like shining stars on the global canvas of literature, art, music, culture, education, and social concerns.

For the first time in the country’s history, an educational institution—Rabindranath Tagore University—created this wondrous world of literature and arts, in collaboration with:

Dr. C.V. Raman University
AISECT University
Tagore International Center for Arts and Culture
Vanmali Srijan Peeth
Vanmali Srijan Kendras
And over 100 cultural organizations from India and abroad

The 6th edition of Vishwarang was organinsed in August 2024 in Mauritius, in association with Vishwa Hindi Sachivalaya and Government of Mauritius. The festival truly went global with a participation of delegates from over 50 nations celebrating Indian literature at a global stage.

“Vishwarang” – A Global Platform of Indian Culture

Bringing Indian Languages to the Center:

Unlike many literary festivals in the country where English dominates and Western culture prevails, often confined to elite classes of metro cities, Vishwarang provided centrality to Hindi and Indian languages, fostering mutual respect and belonging among them.

It also emphasized the enrichment of dialects to enrich our language. Connecting dialects with the main language was considered essential.

Hence, Vishwarang provided a global stage to local dialects like:

Malvi
Bundeli
Bagheli
Chhattisgarhi
Bhojpuri
Awadhi

in conversation with Hindi.

Virtual Editions During the Pandemic:

Notably, during the devastating pandemic—the greatest tragedy of the century—Vishwarang 2020 and 2021, held online on virtual platforms, became the world’s largest cultural festivals.

They were hosted by 26 countries, with thousands of creators from over 50 countries and millions of people participating creatively, making Vishwarang 2020 and 2021 more grand, unbelievable, and unforgettable.

Participation and Recognition:

Over 100 award-winning artists, writers, and thinkers, honored with Sahitya Akademi, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri awards, along with professors and students from renowned international universities, have participated.

Delegates from 50 countries, where Hindi is taught in schools and universities, have taken part.

The festival receives support from:

Government literary and cultural bodies
Many universities and institutions
Writers and poets of both Indian and foreign languages
Transgender individuals, who have also presented their creations

Major Events and Dialogues:

The core components of Vishwarang include:

Meet the Author sessions
Exhibitions of Tagore’s artworks
Book discussions
Book launches

Themes addressed include

The legacy of Gandhi and Tagore
Interrelationships of literature, culture, and arts
Education, media, and environment

It has emerged as a joint creative movement, stretching from small villages and towns to metropolitan cities and distant countries, bringing emerging writers and established personalities together.

Partners and supporters include:

National and Institutional Collaborations:

Government of India
Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (New Delhi)
Bharatiya Gyanpeeth
Central Institute of Indian Languages
National Book Trust
Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Bharat Bhavan
Madhya Pradesh Department of Culture and Tourism
Mahatma Gandhi International Hindi University, Wardha
And major cultural organizations in Bhopal

Karan Singh, Politician-Thinker

"I am happy. Our art and culture have been ongoing for thousands of years. Its radiance has been preserved century after century. The work being done in Vishwarang to promote Indian languages—I welcome it. Seeing the extensive program of Vishwarang, my heart felt joy that it includes many dances and music as well. You have established a university in the name of Gurudev. He was a great litterateur, a great thinker. His fame is not limited only to India. He is world-renowned. I hope Vishwarang will succeed in its objective. Along with the memory of Tagore, the deep engagement you have with art, literature, and culture in our time—Vishwarang assures us of that."

Lebo Mashile, Writer, South Africa

"I am a poet from South Africa. I am also a filmmaker, actress, and producer. First time coming to India. I am happy to come here. ‘Vishwarang’ is very special. South Africa has a large Indian community. So the culture of India and literature is very close to me."

Liudmila Khokhlova, Professor, Moscow University, Russia

"I teach Hindi, Punjabi, and some religious subjects at Moscow University. Our students are learning Hindi there with interest. There is special attraction towards Indian films and arts there. This love is quite old and deep. ‘Vishwarang’ has initiated a new cultural relationship between India and Russia. Personally, I have gained a lot by coming here."

Susham Bedi, Story Writer, USA

"I will say two things about ‘Vishwarang’. ‘Vishwarang’ is the first event in my experience where I see the world coming together. All the visitors have a feeling of enthusiasm, affection, and joy. Living outside India, to be connected with the world of Hindi as a storyteller is a unique experience.

By participating in the Vanmali Katha Samman ceremony, I felt proud."

Dharmpal Mahendra Jain, Writer, Toronto

"The unparalleled festival of ‘Vishwarang’ has brought creators connected to Indian culture from around the world closer, and has made them more committed to working for global intellectualism.

Watching Rajasthani folk dances with my family under the open sky sitting on the steps— was a joy of a different kind. Folk arts definitely touch our primal feelings."

Mamta Kalia, Story Writer

"Eighteen volumes of stories, Hindi stories translated into English, provocative discussions, and colorful events of folk art—all in one festival! I am filled with astonished goodwill for the energy and brilliance of Santosh Choubey and his entire team."

Sudhir Chandra, Historian

"A special thing happened here that deeply impressed me— the conversations and discussions that took place were of a very high level and serious. Usually, in such festivals, there is more formality, more show. But here, it was genuine and meaningful."

Tenzin Tsundue, Translator, Tibet

"Participating in such a grand gathering of literature and culture for the first time felt good. My mother tongue is Tibetan and I write poems in English. Having my translations included in a Hindi gathering was an important creative opportunity.

The poetry reading session was exceptional."

Indranath Choudhuri, Writer

"To organize such a vast festival at a broad level where writers, litterateurs, theatre artists, painters—all are present— is in itself extraordinary! Its grandeur is heart-touching. The mind gets blown here, and I experienced all this."

Rituraj, Poet-Thinker

"In Vishwarang, we are addressing the youth and sending a message— that they understand the current politics of the country, that they assess the present social consciousness. The presence of youth here felt like a necessary intervention. For senior poets like us, the opportunity to interact with youth was rare and heartfelt. I have seen all kinds of ups and downs in Hindi poetry, but I have always stayed close to modern poetry and kept portraying immediate truth and reality in my poems. Meeting young creators at Vishwarang gave me continuous energy."

Semida David, Writer, Romania

"Vishwarang has become for me not only a way to understand Tagore, but also to deeply understand the beautiful culture of India. I am amazed that Tagore's literature could become the voice of humanity all over the world."

Final Reflection – Anonymous (From Delhi, Possibly a Cultural Official)

"After reaching Delhi, I deeply remembered Vishwarang. It gave great satisfaction. An incredible festival took place—reaching great heights. I have been actively involved in the World Hindi Conference's executive body and its program planning till the 11th conference. But this international celebration organized by Rabindranath Tagore University— I don’t hesitate to say—was special in all its dimensions and outcomes, and in comparison.

Vishwarang is the result of everyone's hard work and a collective reflection of Santosh Choubey's vision and tireless effort."

Here is a word-by-word English translation of the provided Hindi text. It is organized by speaker or section for clarity and preserves the structure, tone, and meaning of each line:

Chitra Mudgal, Storyteller

"I have seen many government-organized events, but the way a private university has fulfilled its responsibility towards literature and art on such a large scale through Vishwarang—it is highly commendable."

K. Srinivas Rao, Secretary, Sahitya Akademi, Delhi

"Authors, educationists, and media professionals from many countries of the world, not only these, but also the large number of students who participated in this festival with complete interest— this is the achievement of the festival. Free entry in Vishwarang—this is another special aspect."

Anupama Dey, Painter

"It is my good fortune that I received an award in Vishwarang for printmaking. I am, of course, happy about that. Another major achievement was meeting and conversing with talented and renowned artists from India and abroad. Got to see very good works by many artists. Learned a lot from the seminars."

Alia Sheikh, Writer

"I would like to thank Tagore University that they gave us such a big opportunity in Vishwarang. We express our emotions through our writing, but when this expression becomes a part of a grand platform like Vishwarang, its scope expands."

Gennady Shlomper, Linguist, Israel

"I have come from Israel to participate in this cultural festival. My connection with India is very old. It is a very good thing that Hindi is being given great importance. There is joy in this festival of language."