Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday inaugurated “Jashn-e-Kashmir – New Kashmir New Hope”, a three-week cultural festival celebrating tradition, culture and heritage here.
The festival is being organised by the All J&K Folk Artists Association, Shah Qalander Folk Theatre, in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, and the Office of Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, an official spokesman said.
According to an official press release, congratulating everyone associated with the cultural festival, the LG said, “Our unique diversity is our pride and our biggest strength. Such festivals will encourage artistes, artisans and craftsmen to promote the spirit of ‘Ek Bharat, Shreshtha Bharat’.”
Sinha said the government is working out a roadmap for preserving and reviving the culture and folk traditions of Jammu and Kashmir.
“After a long pause, we are witnessing cultural revival in J&K. Several schemes for promoting folk arts, literature and visual arts have been prepared to give a new impetus to art and culture,” Sinha said.
“We have taken steps to reconnect the youth to their roots and provide an environment and a forum to folk artistes, visual artists and authors to showcase our shared goals and values,” he added.
Schemes like ‘Guru Shishya Parampara’ to pass on the valued traditions of Jammu & Kashmir to the coming generations; preservation of folklore, UT writers camp, national theatre festivals, inter-state cultural exchange programmes, international visits and cultural events in far-flung areas will strengthen our traditional cultural richness, the LG informed.
“Our artists are a reflection of social values, social progress and the administration is fully committed for their welfare,” he said.
“We are aware of the difficulties being faced by many such senior artistes, writers who are not active today due to ill health and the hardships of the families of those artistes who are not with us anymore. The Government will ensure such artistes, writers or their dependents are provided with financial assistance,” the LG informed.
Appreciating the role of voluntary organisations and institutions for the promotion of literature, folk art, music, the LG said the scheme of financial assistance for the registered societies related to various arts has also been approved.
He also highlighted the efforts being made to document and preserve folk treasure of songs and tales.
He urged the cultural organizations, departments, artistes and the people to work collectively for preserving the precious cultural and folk traditions of Jammu Kashmir.
On the occasion, the LG felicitated the artistes for their excellent contribution in preserving and promoting the local art, culture and folk traditions.
Dr Darakhshan Andrabi, chairperson, J&K Waqf Board in her address lauded the contribution of the artistes who are the face of culture and values of J&K and the country. She said that “the LG-led UT administration has provided a new lifeline to the field of art and culture in J&K”.
Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, chairman, All J&K Folk Artists Association, expressed gratitude to the LG for providing continuous support to art, culture and artistes of J&K. He said the renewed energy being filled in the field of art and culture of Jammu Kashmir has brought prosperity in the life of all artistes across the UT.
He also thanked the LG-led administration for launching the J&K film policy and other initiatives for promoting art, culture and traditions of Jammu Kashmir and welfare of performing artists.
On the occasion performances of different folk music and dance were presented by the artists from across the UT.
Pandurang K Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; Mohammad Aijaz, DC Srinagar; Bharat Singh Manhas, Secretary, JKAACL, besides prominent personalities from the field of art, folk and culture attended the inaugural ceremony at Tagore Hall, Srinagar.
