A three day festival marks Premchand’s birth anniversary

Premchand, the great Indian writer whose works have been admired and absorbed through generations and is relevant even today was born on 31st July 137 years ago. His birthplace, Lamhi is all set to celebrate the three-day Lamhi Mahotsav to mark his birth anniversary. Regional cultural officer Ratnesh Verma said that an audiovisual show on the novelist Premchand will be presented this year which will be an added attraction. The three-day festival which commenced on July 30 and will continue till August 1 will host a series of events like an exhibition of books and paintings, seminar, drama based on his stories and folk songs. The cultural department in association with Banaras Hindu University is organizing this mega event. The celebration started on Sunday with an exhibition of books and paintings. A seminar on `Munshi Premchand aur aj ka samay' was also held on the occasion.   One can also purchase mementos and souvenirs at a newly set up souvenir shop at Lamhi. The main programme to celebrate Premchand’s birth anniversary will be held on July 31 which will feature a  seminar, panel discussion and drama presentation on Premchand's famous stories like Prem Rang, Budhi Kaki, Panch Parmeshwar, Kafan, Godan, Maiku and Mantra. The plays will be followed by the folk song presentation by Vishnu Yadav, Ragini Sarna and Shivani Shukla Acharya. The festival will conclude on August 1st on which day students of different schools and colleges will present colorful cultural events.