A view of the forecourt at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
| Photo Credit: @rashtrapatibhvn/X
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the official residence and office of the President of India, will host the Independence Day Reception (At Home) on August 15 as a celebration of the country’s cultural diversity and traditions of environmental stewardship.
The Hindu Independence Day Edition
“Under President Droupadi Murmu, Rashtrapati Bhavan has increasingly served as a national platform for showcasing India’s artistic traditions through State Receptions, banquets for foreign dignitaries and programmes such as the Artists-in-Residence initiative. The 2026 reception will focus on the living cultural traditions of Chhattisgarh, Goa, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, highlighting the relationship between communities, culture and nature,” said a release issued by the President’s House.
Folk dances, music
Around 35 artists from the four States will present folk dances and musical traditions, including Maharashtra’s Lavani and Songhi Mukhawate, Chhattisgarh’s Gedi and Gaur Madiya, Madhya Pradesh’s Bhagoria and Baiga Karma, and Goa’s Samai and Ghode Modni.
The performances reflect diverse community traditions. Gedi, performed on bamboo stilts during Chhattisgarh’s Hareli festival, showcases agility and balance, while Gaur Madiya of Bastar reflects tribal valour. Bhagoria and Baiga Karma embody social, agricultural and nature-linked traditions. Samai features performers balancing brass lamps, while Ghode Modni recalls the bravery of Goan warriors.
The musical programme will unfold as a cultural journey through forests, villages, temples and coastal landscapes, culminating in a shared performance by musicians from all four States. It has been curated by Chhattisgarh folk artist Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, a Sangeet Natak Akademi Award recipient.
The theme will extend to décor and cuisine. Table runners will feature Bagh Print, Khunn, Kunbi textiles and Soura traditions. The menu will include regional specialities such as Indori Poha, Patoleo, Mini Farra, Bafauri, Khamang Kakdi, Dodol and Kodo Millet Kheer.
The reception seeks to demonstrate how India’s cultural heritage and environmental traditions continue to reinforce one another.
Published – August 12, 2026 10:56 pm IST
