Through Festivals like ‘Ranganubhuti’, Pimpri-Chinchwad is Emerging as a ‘Cultural Pilgrimage’ – Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar

Inauguration of ‘Ranganubhuti: Purvarang to Uttararang’ Festival at G.D. Madgulkar Auditorium

Pune, Sept 2025: Pimpri-Chinchwad is developing its identity as a “cultural pilgrimage” through festivals such as Ranganubhuti: Purvarang to Uttararang. With such initiatives, Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation (PCMC) is making remarkable contributions to the city’s cultural growth, said Deputy Chief Minister and Pune District Guardian Minister Ajit Pawar during the festival’s inauguration.

The Ranganubhuti Performing Arts Festival 2025 is being jointly organized by Pimpri-Chinchwad Municipal Corporation, Theater Workshop Company, and Pais Cultural Foundation at the G.D. Madgulkar Auditorium, Nigdi. The festival was inaugurated at the hands of Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, who also addressed the gathering.

Among those present were Assembly Deputy Speaker Anna Bansode, SC-ST Commission Member Adv. Gorakh Lokhande, PCMC Commissioner & Administrator Shekhar Singh, former Deputy Mayor Raju Misal, Additional Commissioner Pradeep Jambhale Patil, Tripti Sandbhor, former corporators Rajendra Salunke, Haribhau Tikone, Fazal Sheikh, social worker Mauli Suryavanshi, Joint Commissioner Manoj Lonkar, City Engineer Makarand Nikam, Deputy City Engineer Bapu Gaikwad, Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Patil, Chief Security Officer Uday Jarande, Special Officer Kiran Gaikwad, PRO Prafulla Puranik, Praveen Bhole, Pais Cultural Foundation founder Prabhakar Pawar, Amruta Mule, officials and staff of various PCMC departments, artists, and art lovers.

On this occasion, institutions with significant contributions to the cultural sector were felicitated. These included Telco Kalasagar – Tata Motors Pune, Kalapini Talegaon Dabhade, Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Natya Parishad Pimpri-Chinchwad, Nadbrahm Sanstha, Atharva Theatres, Disha Foundation, Sanskar Bharati, Natak Ghar, The Box, Natak Company Asakt Pune, and Maharashtra Cultural Centre (MCC).

Deputy CM Pawar said that Ranganubhuti is a festival that strengthens Pimpri-Chinchwad’s cultural movement. Artists from Maharashtra as well as Rajasthan, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh have participated, offering residents a rich cultural feast. He added that it is a matter of pride that the festival is being held at the G.D. Madgulkar Auditorium, named after G.D. Madgulkar, who was not just a lyricist or writer but a shining representative of Maharashtra’s cultural and literary heritage.

Highlighting PCMC’s consistent efforts in promoting culture, Pawar said the corporation has always prioritized cultural initiatives in line with the state’s cultural policy, providing platforms for budding artists and encouraging their talent. Pimpri-Chinchwad, once known mainly as an industrial city, is now rapidly building a distinct cultural identity, nurturing many artists, directors, writers, and poets, and enriching Marathi theatre.

Stressing the importance of Marathi language and theatre, Pawar said the state government has established a new department for Marathi. “For the Marathi person, theatre is the first love. Marathi theatre is a true reflection of society. The government is committed to providing greater financial support to cultural activities. Rural theatres must be of good quality and well-equipped, so that talent from rural areas can flourish,” he added.

PCMC Commissioner Shekhar Singh, in his welcome address, said the festival aims to give citizens a high-quality artistic experience, provide a platform for emerging and renowned artists, and promote cultural development. He also shared detailed information about the event. The program was anchored by Tejaswini Gandhi and Milind Bawa, while Amruta Mule of Pais Cultural Foundation proposed a vote of thanks.

Ajit Pawar Praises Art Exhibition
As part of the festival, an art exhibition depicting Pimpri-Chinchwad’s cultural journey and showcasing remarkable artworks by talented city artists has been organized at the G.D. Madgulkar Auditorium Art Gallery. Deputy CM Ajit Pawar visited the exhibition, appreciated the artists, and noted that the platform gives valuable exposure to emerging talent.