LUCKNOW, Jan. 24 -- The opening day of the two-day "Cultural Caravan", organised by Jashn-e-Adab (Sahityotsav)-a society for for poetry and literature- on Friday began at the Sant Gadge Ji Maharaj Auditorium of UP Sangeet Natak Akademi with a performance by ghazal singer Shakeel Ahmed. It was followed by a serious discussion on the social contributions and challenges of the transgender community in the dialogue session "Ek Duniya Aisi Bhi' between Mahendra Bhishma and Arun Singh. A session "The Wheel of Chakradhar" of noted poet Ashok Chakradhar tickled the listeners' funny bones. Regarding the spring festival (Vasant Parv), he said the four-armed imagination of Goddess Saraswati still revolves around the paintings of Raja Ravi Varma. Explaining the importance of the almanac (Panchang), he said amidst the cold wave of January, the yellow spring has arrived. Flautist Pandit Ronu Majumdar scattered the magic of his notes in the musical gathering. He started his presentation with Raag Pooriya and then played the tune of 'Ab kaise bane tori baat sajan'. Majumdar specially performed Vande Mataram in Raag Desh and also the sweet melody of 'Saare Jahan Se Achcha' in Raag Peelu. On stage, Lalit Kumar provided excellent accompaniment on the tabla, making this musical evening memorable.htc...