Three Generations Celebrate at Search Foundation’s 25th Children’s Festival “Dadi, Mummy, and Us”

Lucknow: The 25th Children’s Festival organized by Search Foundation, titled “Dadi, Mummy, and Us”, came alive at the International Buddhist Research Institute Auditorium, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow, showcasing the talent, energy, and creativity of three generations.

The festival, conceived by Sarvesh Asthana, founder of Search Foundation and head of Uttar Pradesh Sahitya Sabha, and directed by Ratna Asthana of Ratna Dance Academy, featured vibrant dance performances, poetry recitals, and a special fashion show with grand participation from children, mothers, and grandmothers alike. Young differently-abled artists, performers from CDRI, and Formative Day School added further sparkle to the evening.

Key Highlights:

• Fashion and Inspiration: The showstopper was the grand fashion show titled “Om Shanti Om”, where three generations walked the ramp in traditional attire. Angel Maurya delivered a poignant message on freeing children from mobile dependency.

• Musical & Dance Performances: Classical and folk performances enthralled the audience—students performed Ganesh Vandana, Kathak, and energetic Punjabi Gidda, while mothers showcased regional folk dances including Rajasthani, Bengali, Uttarakhandi, Gujarati, and UP folk styles. Grandmothers over 60 took the stage, bringing Bollywood classics to life, winning thunderous applause.

• Special Awards: Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Rajya Sabha MP, honored child welfare advocates with the Search Foundation Child Protection Awards. Notable awardees included school principals Indu Bala Gaur, Akanksha Shukla, Dr. Ankita Upadhyay, and Durgesh Upadhyay.

• Differently-abled Talent & Poetry: Young differently-abled performers presented devotional songs and poems, including works by Prateek Saini and Neelam Gupta, highlighting inclusivity and creativity.

The festival began with the theme song “Chhoti Aankhen, Bade Bade Sapne”, inviting families into an evening of joy, learning, and cultural celebration. The closing performance, “Hey Nath Narayan Vasudev”, brought all three generations together, symbolizing unity, love, and the strength of shared heritage.

With over 25 years of dedication, the Search Foundation continues to foster creativity, values, and intergenerational bonding, making this festival a shining example of cultural continuity and child empowerment.