Udeesha 2026 A Resounding Success, Draws Thousands to a Landmark Celebration of Literature and Culture in Moradabad
Moradabad, Uttar Pradesh: The inaugural edition of Udeesha 2026 Moradabad Literature Festival concluded on an emphatic high on January 27, emerging as one of the most successful cultural events ever hosted in the city. Spread across six days and multiple venues, the festival witnessed packed halls, standing ovations and overwhelming public participation, firmly placing Moradabad on the national cultural map. Organised at Dushyant Manch, Ramganga Lawns, Jaun Elia Zone, Bhikhari Thakur Manch, Spandan Sarovar and Sharda Mandap, Udeesha 2026 transformed the city into a vibrant centre of literary thought, music, theatre and artistic dialogue.
With thousands of visitors attending sessions and performances each day, the festival became a true people’s celebration. From early‑morning rituals and workshops to late‑evening concerts and Mushairas, Udeesha 2026 showcased a rare blend of classical heritage and contemporary creativity. The presence of nationally acclaimed writers, poets, filmmakers, journalists and performing artists, along with senior administrators, educationists and cultural leaders from the region, added prestige and gravitas to the festival.
The festival opened ceremonially on Day One with the Inauguration Programme at Dushyant Manch in the presence of leading cultural figures and dignitaries. The opening afternoon session, “Moradabad ke Sangeet Gharane,” saw Ustad Gulam Abbas Khan and Sunanda Sharma reflect on the city’s classical music traditions under the moderation of Anjum Sharma, drawing a full house at Ramganga Lawns. Actor and author Ashutosh Rana followed with a widely appreciated session on “Rangmanch aur Filmon ki Bhasha aur Sanskriti,” offering insights into theatre and cinema that were warmly received by students and practitioners alike. The evening Light and Sound Show at Spandan Sarovar created a magical ambience, while the opening night Star Concert by Sukhwinder Singh became one of the festival’s biggest crowd‑pullers, with the singer’s rendition of “Chal Chhaiyya Chhaiyya”.
Day Two further consolidated the festival’s success with a packed schedule beginning with the Theatre Kayarshala conducted by Swati Goyal, Ashish Pandey and Pooja Rawat drew enthusiastic participation from young theatre aspirants, while the Ramleela presentation at Dushyant Manch attracted families in large numbers. Literary sessions throughout the day witnessed exceptional footfall, particularly legendary poet Wasim Barelvi’s session “Jahan Rahega Wahin Roshni Lutaayega,” which became one of the most attended events of the festival. Bhojpuri icon and parliamentarian Manoj Tiwari’s sessions on regional culture and his evening interaction “Muhurat Khoobsurat Ho” added star appeal, while classical maestro Pandit Sajan Mishra’s recital received a standing ovation from connoisseurs.
Day Three reaffirmed Udeesha’s intellectual depth and popular reach. Panels on creative writing, mental health, radio culture and Urdu ghazal traditions generated animated discussions. Senior journalist Saurabh Dwivedi’s session on journalism in the age of social media drew students and media professionals in large numbers, becoming one of the most talked‑about sessions. Bestselling author Chetan Bhagat’s interaction “Gen Z ki Kahaniyan” filled Dushyant Manch beyond capacity, reflecting the festival’s strong connect with young readers. The evening Star Night Concert by Sona Mohapatra turned into a musical highlight, with her performance of “Ambarsariya” prompting repeated encores.
Day Four witnessed equally strong attendance and critical acclaim. Author Akshat Gupta’s talk on “Hidden Hindu: Dev, Danav aur Manav” sparked lively exchanges among readers and scholars. Conversations on Indian cinema featuring veteran actor Manoj Joshi and filmmaker Anusha Rizvi were among the most engaging sessions of the day. The cultural evening, featuring Qawwali by the Niyazi Brothers and folk presentation “Bidesiya” by Sanjay Upadhyay, drew diverse audiences. The grand Mushaira and Kavi Sammelan at Dushyant Manch, with celebrated poets including Azm Shakri, Nawaz Devbandi, Shariq Kaifi, Ayesha Ayyub, Popular Meeruthi and others, emerged as a defining moment of the festival, holding audiences spellbound late into the night.
Day Five continued the festival’s winning momentum with high‑quality workshops, Dastangoi performances and thought‑provoking panels on Indian knowledge traditions, women’s voices and the future of theatre. The session “Kahani, Kirdar aur Cinema,” featuring actor Gulshan Grover, filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar and writer‑director Virendra Saxena, drew a packed hall and enthusiastic response. The grand finale by poet and orator Kumar Vishwas, presenting “Apne Apne Ram,” became the emotional high point of the festival, earning a prolonged standing ovation and closing Udeesha 2026 on an unforgettable note.
Speaking at the closing, the organisers said the festival’s overwhelming success exceeded expectations. “The unprecedented participation, the packed venues and the warmth of Moradabad’s citizens have made Udeesha 2026 a historic cultural moment for the city. This festival will now grow into a lasting movement for literature and the arts,” they said.
With record attendance, seamless organisation and a stellar line‑up of dignitaries and artists, Udeesha 2026 has set a new benchmark for literary and cultural festivals in Uttar Pradesh. The festival not only celebrated art and ideas but also ignited a renewed cultural pride in Moradabad, promising an even larger and richer edition in the years ahead.
