Ratnawali celebrates art, empowers marginalised voices: Justice Batra

The second day of the four-day state-level Ratnawali Festival at Kurukshetra University celebrated the vibrancy of Haryanvi culture with great enthusiasm and creativity.

Delivering his address as chief guest, Haryana Human Rights Commission Chairman and former Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge, Justice Lalit Batra, said the Ratnawali Festival is not merely a celebration of art but also of human dignity, identity and rights.

He remarked that every dance, song and artwork presented at the festival symbolises freedom of expression and cultural participation—values safeguarded by both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Indian Constitution. Justice Batra emphasised that culture and human rights are deeply intertwined and that cultural expression empowers especially those whose voices have been marginalised.

Guest of Honour, Prof Deepti Dharmani, Vice-Chancellor, Chaudhary Bansi Lal University, Bhiwani, lauded Kurukshetra University for its commitment to preserving Haryana’s rich cultural legacy.

She noted that Ratnawali is playing a crucial role in safeguarding traditional Haryanvi art forms. “By reviving 34 traditional art forms, the university is connecting the youth with their roots and introducing them to their ancient heritage,” she said.

She also congratulated Vice-Chancellor Prof Som Nath Sachdeva for expanding Ratnawali into a grand celebration of culture and creativity.

Deputy Director (Public Relations) Dr Jimmy Sharma shared that as part of the ongoing state-level Ratnawali Festival, a special Media Chaupal was organised, moderated by KU Director (Public Relations) Prof Maha Singh Poonia.

Justice Batra and Prof Dharmani shared their perspectives on Haryana’s culture, language and the significance of the Ratnawali Festival.

During the interactive session, both guests observed that Ratnawali has become a vibrant platform for reviving Haryana’s folk traditions and linguistic heritage.

Prof Poonia said, “For years, Ratnawali has continued to offer something unique to every age group — something that cannot be found anywhere else. Celebrated on the occasion of Haryana Day, this cultural extravaganza has long transformed the KU campus into a living museum of Haryana’s folk spirit.”

He added, “Visitors from Haryana, neighbouring states and even from abroad are captivated by the image of a veiled woman dancing gracefully — the symbolic face of Ratnawali. Some believe she is fictional, others historical, yet she represents both. The name Ratnawali is drawn from Emperor Harsha’s Sanskrit play of the same title, where characters like Charachari and Haliska were dancers — a tradition still echoing in Haryana’s folk performances.”

Prof Poonia recalled that in 1988, former Director of Youth and Cultural Affairs, Anup Lather, documented the Banchari dance and captured the image of a woman dancing during Holi. “The moment was so authentic and natural that it became timeless. That image was later chosen as the festival’s logo, and it has ruled hearts ever since.”

He further added that artist RS Pathania of the Youth and Culture Department later created several artistic renditions of the image, giving Ratnawali its enduring identity. Today, the logo proudly adorns banners and T-shirts, symbolising pride and belonging among students.

Between 1985 and 2005, the event was known as the Haryana Day Festival. After its renaming in 2006, Ratnawali evolved into one of Kurukshetra University’s most prestigious and cherished cultural celebrations.