The term NZCC Ghats refers to the specific areas and performance stages on the banks (ghats) of the Brahma Sarovar that are managed and utilized by the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala, during the International Gita Mahotsav (IGM) and other cultural events.

The NZCC is an autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, tasked with preserving and promoting the folk and cultural heritage of India’s northern zone.

Role of the NZCC Ghats

• Venue for Cultural Fusion: The NZCC takes charge of organizing and coordinating the massive cultural performances that take place daily on the ghats, often running for the entire duration of the Mahotsav (e.g., November 15 to December 5).

   

• Performance Hotspots: The NZCC Ghats become dynamic performance zones where artists from various states across India showcase the richness of their folk traditions. These include:

   

  • Saraswati Ghat: Known for hosting performances like Barsana ki Holi (Holi celebrations), Tripura’s Hozagiri dance, and Maharashtra’s Songimukhwate.

     

  • Anusuiya Ghat: Known for powerful performances such as Pandwani Gayan (epic storytelling from Mahabharata), Rouff Dance (Jammu & Kashmir), Panthi Dance (Chhattisgarh), and the martial art display of Gatka (Punjab).

     

• Diverse Art Forms: Artists from as many as 17 states and union territories—including Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Tripura, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh—perform dances and folk arts such as Luddi, Gidha, Kalbelia, Bhawai Nritya, and Bhangra.

   

• Grand Scale: The NZCC’s involvement ensures a continuous stream of quality cultural programming that entertains visitors from India and abroad, making the Brahma Sarovar a vibrant confluence of art and spirituality. They divide the hundreds of participating artists into multiple batches to ensure variety throughout the festival.

  In essence, the NZCC Ghats are the designated cultural hubs on the banks of the Brahma Sarovar that facilitate the large-scale showcasing of India’s diverse folk culture during the IGM.