From early-morning rituals and workshops to late-evening concerts and Mushairas, the festival showcased a rare blend of classical heritage and contemporary expression. The presence of nationally acclaimed writers, poets, filmmakers, journalists, and performing artists—along with senior administrators, educationists, and cultural leaders—added prestige and gravitas to the proceedings.
Day One: Ceremonial Opening and Star Performances
Udeesha 2026 opened ceremonially at Dushyant Manch in the presence of leading cultural figures and dignitaries. The session “Moradabad ke Sangeet Gharane” featured Ustad Gulam Abbas Khan and Sunanda Sharma, moderated by Anjum Sharma, drawing a full house at Ramganga Lawns. Actor and author Ashutosh Rana followed with an engaging talk on theatre and cinema. The evening Light and Sound Show at Spandan Sarovar set a magical tone, while the opening night Star Concert by Sukhwinder Singh became a major crowd-puller.
Day Two: Theatre, Poetry, and Classical Music
Day Two consolidated the festival’s success with workshops, including a Theatre Kayarshala led by Swati Goyal, Ashish Pandey, and Pooja Rawat. Literary sessions saw exceptional footfall, particularly Wasim Barelvi’s much-anticipated session. Bhojpuri icon Manoj Tiwari added star appeal, while Pandit Sajan Mishra’s classical recital earned a standing ovation from connoisseurs.
Day Three: Youth Engagement and Musical Highs
Panels on creative writing, mental health, radio culture, and Urdu ghazal traditions marked Day Three. Senior journalist Saurabh Dwivedi’s session on journalism in the age of social media drew students and professionals alike. Bestselling author Chetan Bhagat filled Dushyant Manch with his interaction “Gen Z ki Kahaniyan”. The evening Star Night Concert by Sona Mohapatra became a musical highlight.
Day Four: Cinema, Qawwali, and Poetry
Day Four featured author Akshat Gupta’s talk on Hidden Hindu, alongside conversations on Indian cinema with Manoj Joshi and Anusha Rizvi. Cultural performances included Qawwali by the Niyazi Brothers and the folk presentation Bidesiya. The grand Mushaira and Kavi Sammelan, featuring poets such as Azm Shakri, Nawaz Devbandi, Shariq Kaifi, Ayesha Ayyub, and Popular Meeruthi, held audiences spellbound late into the night.
Day Five: A Powerful Finale
The final day sustained the festival’s momentum with workshops, Dastangoi performances, and panels on Indian knowledge traditions and women’s voices. The session “Kahani, Kirdar aur Cinema” brought together Gulshan Grover, Madhur Bhandarkar, and Virendra Saxena. The grand finale by Kumar Vishwas, presenting “Apne Apne Ram”, became the emotional high point of Udeesha 2026, earning a prolonged standing ovation.
Organisers Reflect on an Overwhelming Response
Speaking at the closing, the organisers said the festival’s success exceeded expectations. They highlighted the unprecedented participation, packed venues, and the warmth of Moradabad’s citizens, noting that Udeesha would now grow into a lasting movement for literature and the arts.