SRINAGAR: As part of the ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav (AKAM), the Department of Culture, through J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (JKAACL) in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education Kashmir, conducted a series of singing, dancing and visual art (painting/drawing) competitions across the Kashmir Division.
JKAACL, under the guidance of its Commissioner Secretary, Zubair Ahmad, has successfully culminated the divisional level grand finale of the AKAM competition at Government Girls H S S Kothi Bagh here.
Chronologically, the competitions were held at school, zonal and district levels before finally pinnacling at the divisional level. The key thematic areas for the competition were Patriotism, Cleanliness, Plantation, Peace, Truth & Nonviolence, and Indian Culture.
All the district level winners from their respective categories competed at the divisional level for the “winner” and the “runner-up” positions in the grand finale of the competition at Government Girls H.S.S. Kothi Bagh in Srinagar.
At the grand finale, the jury for the singing competition included Qaiser Nizami, Rehmatullah Khan, and Faroq Ahmad Wani; for the dance competition, the jury comprised Nabi Bulbul, Gulzar Ahmad Ganaie, and Tariq Javid; and Nowshad Gayoor and Arshad Salah for the painting competition.
Three winners at the divisional-level grand finale shall receive a cash prize of Rs. 20,000/- each, and three runner-ups shall get a cash prize of Rs. 10,000/- each. Likewise, from district level competition, in every district, nine winners shall receive a cash prize of Rs. 5000/- each, while nine first-runner-ups shall get a cash prize of Rs. 3000/- each, and nine second-runner-ups shall receive a cash prize of Rs. 1000/- each.
During the concluding ceremony, Nusrat Bukhari, Principal H.S.S. School Kothibagh, was the Chief Guest.
Farooq Anwar Mirza, Incharge Divisional Office AACL Kashmir, addressed the audience.
J&K AACL’s and the Department of Culture’s efforts in promoting young talent via such competitions are receiving appreciation from the art and culture connoisseurs of the Kashmir region.
