Bengaluru Express
Bengaluru, Sep. 20:
Bengaluru to Host a three-day 2nd National Cultural Pythian Games 2025 at
Koramangala Indoor Stadium from November 7th bringing together a unique celebration of arts, culture, traditional games, and sports.
Governor of Karnataka has kindly agreed in principle to declare the Games open at the inaugural ceremony.
A Historic Legacy Reimagined
The Pythian Games trace their origin to ancient Greece, where they stood alongside the Olympic Games as one of the four Pan-Hellenic festivals. Unlike the Olympics which focused on athleticism, the Pythian Games were the oldest cultural games of the world, dedicated to the god Apollo and celebrated through music, poetry, dance, theatre, and artistic performances.
In the modern era, the Games have been revived by Mr. Bijender Goel, a visionary and cultural entrepreneur, who founded the Modern Pythian Games. His initiative has provided the world’s first single global platform combining arts, culture, and traditional games, reviving a 2600-year-old legacy in contemporary form.
Founder’s Vision:
Speaking ahead of the press conference, Mr. Bijender Goel, Founder of the Modern Pythian Games, said: “The Pythian Games are not just an event, but a global movement. They create a bridge between ancient traditions and modern aspirations.
By bringing together artists, performers, players of indigenous and traditional games, and youth from across India, we aim to position our country as a cultural leader on the world stage. The Games offer a billion-euro global market in art, culture, and creative economy – and India must claim its rightful place in it.
To strengthen this vision, we have already launched an exclusive OTT platform – https://tv.pythiangames.org – and are preparing to launch a dedicated Pythian TV Channel. These platforms will live-stream events, showcase performances, and provide global exposure to all artists and players. This digital ecosystem will ensure that their talent is not just recognised locally, but celebrated internationally, helping them build lasting identities in the global cultural economy.”
Organising Committee Voices
Mr. B. H. Anil Kumar, IAS, Organising Chairman, said “It is a matter of pride for Karnataka to host the 2nd National Cultural Pythian Games. This will not only boost the state’s cultural prestige but also promote our tourism, local economy, and international recognition. Bengaluru, as India’s technology and culture hub, is the perfect stage for this grand celebration.”
Mrs. Sneha Venkatramani, Organising Secretary and renowned Bharatanatyam Guru, remarked:
“The Pythian Games are a blessing for artists and players of indigenous games. They give equal respect to both cultural expression and traditional sports, opening opportunities for recognition, collaboration, and growth. For Karnataka’s artists and youth, this is a historic chance to shine on a national platform.”
Competitions Scheduled:
The 2nd National Cultural Pythian Games will feature over 30 events across Arts, Culture, Games, Martial Arts, and Cricket:
Arts Competitions
• Dance
• Music
• Singing
• Drama
• Poetry
• Essay Writing
• Drawing
• Rangoli Making
• Mehndi Designs
• Painting
• Cultural Fashion Show
• Storytelling
• Stand-up Comedy
Games Competitions
• Musical Chairs
• Rope Skipping
• Yoga Sports
• Tug of War
• Arm Wrestling
• Hammer Ball
• Lagori
• Tennis Volleyball
• Cyclothon
• Marathon
• Sack Race
• Frog Race
• One-leg Race
• Ludo
Martial Arts Competitions
• Gada Yudh
• Taekwondo
• Karate
• Bagatur
Cricket Formats
• Soft Ball Cricket
• 50 Ball Cricket
Distinguished Presence:
The press meet was graced by the presence of Mrs. Lalita Goel, Founding Trustee, and Mr. Siva Kumar, Trustee, Delphic India Trust, who reiterated their commitment to the vision of spreading the Modern Pythian Movement across India.
About the Modern Pythian Games
The Modern Pythian Games are a revival of the ancient Pythian Games of Greece – the oldest cultural festival in history. Reintroduced in the 21st century by Mr. Bijender Goel, the Games unite arts, culture, traditional and indigenous games, martial arts, and emerging creative expressions under one inclusive global banner.
The Pythian Games are emerging as a worldwide cultural movement, showcasing India’s rich heritage while connecting it with global creative economies.
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