Citizens also benefit from the state government’s ‘bappa.org’ initiative
Thane, October 2026 : Against the backdrop of Ganeshotsav being accorded the status of a state festival, a grand cultural programme titled ‘Shri Ganesh in Folk Art’ was organised at the Ram Ganesh Gadkari Rangayatan in Thane. The event was organised by the Thane Collectorate with the support of the Cultural Affairs Department, Government of Maharashtra.
Celebrating Maharashtra’s rich folk culture and the traditional legacy of Ganeshotsav, the programme received an enthusiastic response from the audience.
A troupe of 20 artists presented a spectacular showcase of traditional folk art forms during the special cultural event. The performances included Naman, Gan, Gondhali dance, Mangalagaur, tribal dance, Dhangari dance, Koli dance, and Jagar-Gondhal, reflecting the diversity of Maharashtra’s cultural heritage.
The programme was organised under the guidance of Thane District Collector Dr Shrikrishna Panchal, Additional District Collector Harishchandra Patil and Resident Deputy Collector Dr Sandeep Mane, in coordination with actor Sushant Shelar’s Shelar Mama Foundation.
The event also provided an opportunity to inform citizens about the Maharashtra government’s special ‘bappa.org’ initiative. The digital platform aims to promote an eco-friendly and hassle-free celebration of Ganeshotsav while providing a single-window facility for Ganeshotsav mandal registrations, various government permissions and other essential information related to the festival.
The initiative is helping citizens and Ganeshotsav mandals complete administrative procedures more conveniently and transparently by bringing multiple services together on a single platform.
The programme offered a unique blend of Maharashtra’s folk traditions and government initiatives, reinforcing the message that the state’s culture, identity and Ganeshotsav are integral to its heritage. It proved to be a memorable experience for the people of Thane, taking the spirit of Maharashtra’s folk arts and cultural traditions to a wider audience.
