National Youth Festival is celebrated every year from 12 th to 16 th January to commemorate the birthday of Swami Vivekananda.
State contingent comprising of around 75 young men and women from each State and Union Territory attend the National Youth Festival. The Festival is also attended by around 300 participants from the National Service Scheme and 200 participants from the adolescent groups. In addition to this, Nehru Yuva Kendra arranges Yuva Krithi Exhibition, Young Artists’ Camp and other activities in which the large number of people participate.
To be a part of the youth contingent, you should be an outstanding performer of Folk Dance, Folk Song, One Act Play, Elocution, Classical Vocal (Hindustani), Classical Vocal (Carnatic), Classical Instrument Sitar, Flute, Tabla, Veena, Mridhangam, Harmonium, Guitar, Classical Dance Manipuri, Odyssey, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, etc. Normally, the selection is held by the Youth Development Department of the State Governments at least 3 to 4 months prior to this Festival.
As National Youth Festival is celebrated annually in the month of January, information about the city hosting the festival can be obtained from the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Shastri Bhavan, Government of India, New Delhi. There is no entry fee for witnessing the events. However, it is advisable that the program schedule which is often publicized in the newspaper should be seen and you should reach the venue half-an-hour before the starting of the events.
National Youth Festival provides you an opportunity to witness large number of traditional and modern Indian forms of entertainment. In normal course, participation is limited to State contingent. However, the Organizing Committee if desires, can also organize at least open competition.
The National Youth Festival is celebrated to attempt at bringing the collective flavour of the diverse culture of our country on a uniform podium and highlights gradual transformation of an age-old civilization into a strong and prosperous nation.