An evening honouring the iconic Rajasthani song that welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the Netherlands, celebrated in New Delhi in the presence of Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon'ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism. New Delhi, June 2026: Rajasthan’s celebrated singer, cultural advocate Manesha A Agarwal of Arpan Foundation will …
An evening honouring the iconic Rajasthani song that welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to the Netherlands, celebrated in New Delhi in the presence of Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism.
New Delhi, June 2026: Rajasthan’s celebrated singer, cultural advocate Manesha A Agarwal of Arpan Foundation will host a special cultural evening titled “Padharo Mhare Des: Revisiting the Song and the Slogan” on 3 June 2026, at the India International Centre, New Delhi, celebrating the remarkable journey of one of Rajasthan’s most beloved cultural expressions.
The evening comes at a significant moment, following the recent visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to the Netherlands, where Padharo Mhare Des was performed by lead singer Manesha A Agarwal as part of the cultural welcome presented to him in The Hague. The rendition brought Rajasthan’s musical legacy to an international diplomatic platform, reaffirming the enduring relevance of India’s regional cultural traditions in contemporary global conversations.
A major highlight of the programme will be a live performance by young artists from the Manganiyar and Langa communities, nurtured through Arpan Music Lab, an initiative of Arpan Foundation dedicated to preserving Rajasthan’s rich folk music traditions and supporting the next generation of hereditary musicians.
The evening will be graced by Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Hon’ble Union Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India, as the Chief Guest.
Sixth generation jeweller, collector and photographer Sudhir Kasliwal will showcase Padharo Mhare Des – Special Edit of his photographs of Rajasthan shot over six decades as a part of the event.
Speaking about the occasion, Manesha A Agarwal said: “When Padharo Mhare Des was first conceived, it was envisioned as a heartfelt tribute to Rajasthan’s spirit of warmth, music and hospitality. To witness the song being played during the welcome of our Hon’ble Prime Minister in the Netherlands was deeply moving. Our larger vision has always been to highlight and celebrate artists across genres from Rajasthan—bringing the richness, diversity and contemporary relevance of the state’s artistic heritage to wider audiences in India and across the world.”
The evening will also acknowledge the legacy of Dr. Lalit K. Panwar, former Tourism Secretary and Director of Tourism, Rajasthan, under whose leadership the iconic Padharo Mhare Des tourism identity became one of the most recognised cultural symbols of the state.
Originally released in 2011, Padharo Mhare Des brought together some of India’s most revered musical legends. Conceived and Conceptualised by Gauri R Yadwadkar, an established name in the Music Industry. The song includes Jagjit Singh, Ustad Sultan Khan, Pt. Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Anwar Khan, Salil Bhatt, Roop Kumar Rathod, Ustad Ahmad Hussain, Ustad Mohammad Hussain, Mohammad Vakil, Gulabo, Ghazi Khan, alongside Manesha A Agarwal and music director Ravi Pawar. The song remains one of the most significant musical tributes to Rajasthan’s cultural spirit.
At a time when conversations around cultural diplomacy and heritage preservation are becoming increasingly relevant, the event serves as a reminder that folk traditions are not relics of the past but living, evolving expressions of India’s cultural identity.
Bringing together artists, cultural leaders, policymakers, diplomats, media, and patrons of the arts, the evening promises to be a celebration of Rajasthan’s enduring voice, one that continues to inspire, welcome and connect.
Event Details
Padharo Mhare Des: Revisiting the Song and the Slogan
Date: Wednesday, 3 June 2026
Time: 7:00 PM
Venue: India International Centre, Multipurpose Hall, Gate No. 1, New Delhi
About Manesha A Agarwal
Manesha A Agarwal is a celebrated singer known for her contribution to devotional and folk music. Through acclaimed musical works including Nimbooda, Banna Re, Malhar and Girdhari Girdhari, she has consistently championed Rajasthan’s rich musical heritage. As Founder Trustee of Arpan Foundation, she is actively engaged in cultural preservation and the promotion of traditional folk arts among younger generations.
About Arpan Foundation
Arpan Foundation is dedicated to preserving and promoting Rajasthan’s traditional folk arts, with a particular focus on supporting children and families from the Manganiyar and Langa communities. Through its initiatives including Arpan Music Lab, the foundation provides training, mentorship & performance opportunities to young artists, ensuring that these invaluable oral traditions continue to thrive in contemporary India.
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