Bhopal. The ‘State Handloom Expo 2026,’ currently being held at Gauhar Mahal, has emerged as not merely a hub for handlooms and handicrafts, but also a vibrant platform for music and cultural expressions.
On Thursday evening, a special stage was set up for amateur artists as part of a musical evening organized within the Expo premises; here, numerous emerging artists and music enthusiasts from the city filled the atmosphere with melodious tunes through their performances.
As dusk fell, the historic courtyard of Gauhar Mahal resonated with the sweet echoes of music. Amidst a backdrop of colorful handloom textiles and traditional artifacts, the waves of melody left the audience spellbound.
During the event, the city’s amateur artists garnered immense applause from the listeners by presenting popular songs—spanning both the classic and contemporary eras—in their own unique voices.
While some performances evoked the tender sentiments of love, others offered a musical touch reflecting life’s struggles and hopes.
The highlight of the program was the performance by veteran singer Basant Barathe. With his seasoned vocals and soulful singing, he presented a series of film songs that captivated the audience for an extended period.
His renditions showcased a beautiful blend of the melodic charm of the golden era and the energy of the new generation. As soon as he began performing these evergreen classics, the entire venue reverberated with applause and appreciation.
The audience, too, could be seen singing along with him. Throughout the musical evening, the artists paid tribute to legendary singers such as Mohammed Rafi, Kishore Kumar, Mukesh, and Asha Bhosle by performing their popular hits in their own distinct styles, thereby evoking nostalgic memories of the golden era among the listeners.
The program saw romantic melodies creating an emotional atmosphere at times, while at other moments, high-spirited songs compelled the audience to sway to the rhythm.
Notably, this expo—organized by the Madhya Pradesh Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation—will run until May 10, featuring weavers and artisans from across the country showcasing their traditional arts and products.
GST Nuances Explained
A special workshop on the subject of GST was organized during the afternoon session for the weavers and artisans who had gathered from all corners of the country; during this session, crucial information regarding the tax regime was shared.
The objective of the workshop was to familiarize the weavers with the intricacies of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and to raise their awareness regarding tax-related challenges encountered in business operations.
On this occasion, Chartered Accountant Vipul Jain elucidated the significance of GST using simple and practical examples. He emphasized the critical importance for small and medium-scale weavers to ensure timely GST registration, file tax returns promptly, and correctly adopt proper billing procedures.
During the workshop, the attending weavers posed their queries, which were subsequently addressed by the experts. The event witnessed the presence of a large number of weavers and artisans, alongside officials including Manager Ranjana Ninave, Milind Mendy, Surendra Verma, and Expo In-charge Arvind Sharma. All participants described the workshop as both useful and enlightening.
