Three-day Veshow Festival concludes in Kulgam with literary, cultural events

Kulgam: The three-day Veshow Festival 2026 concluded at Government Degree College Kulgam on Friday, bringing together writers, poets, artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, students and visitors for a series of literary, cultural and trade activities celebrating the region’s heritage.
Organised under the theme ‘Celebrating Our Heritage’, the festival featured literary discussions, poetry sessions, cultural performances, exhibitions and interactive sessions focusing on entrepreneurship, handicrafts, agriculture, horticulture and youth development.
The concluding day’s literary programme featured a ‘Meet the Author’ session with noted author Satish Vimal, followed by a discussion titled ‘Kashmiri Literature – Kal, Aaj Aur Kal’ (Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow). The discussion provided a platform for writers and literary figures to deliberate on the evolution of Kashmiri literature, its contemporary landscape and future prospects.
The programme also featured a Kul-Hind Mushaira (All India Mushaira), bringing together poets from different parts of the country for a poetry session.
Alongside the literary activities, four dedicated pavilions hosted keynote addresses, panel discussions, closing sessions and interactive programmes covering entrepreneurship and start-ups, handicrafts and rural enterprises, agri-business and horticulture, and youth, skills and career development.
Discussions focused on Jammu and Kashmir’s potential as a business and enterprise hub, the contribution of handicrafts to livelihood generation, livestock and its role in the rural economy, emerging opportunities for young people, and the importance of Geographical Indication (GI) recognition in promoting traditional handicrafts.
The sessions also explored opportunities in the agri-economy and changing employment avenues for youth. Experts, entrepreneurs, professionals, students and aspiring business owners participated in the discussions and exchanged views on emerging opportunities across different sectors.
The trade fair and exhibition areas continued to attract visitors, with stalls displaying local products, traditional handicrafts, Kashmiri cuisine, agricultural produce, art and craft items, besides products and services from various sectors. The exhibition provided local artisans, traders, entrepreneurs and institutions an opportunity to showcase their products, interact with visitors and explore potential business opportunities.
The Antique Village remained another attraction, displaying traditional Kashmiri household articles, artefacts and objects reflecting the region’s cultural heritage and traditional lifestyle. A dedicated children’s play area was also set up for young visitors.
Cultural performances by school students added to the festival’s activities, with the off-stage programme featuring Kashmiri folk songs, traditional dances, drama and other performances. The platform provided students an opportunity to showcase their artistic abilities and connect with the region’s cultural traditions.
Deputy Commissioner Kulgam Shahzad Alam, along with other district officers, attended various literary and trade sessions during the festival.
At the valedictory session, the Deputy Commissioner and other officers felicitated literary figures, expert speakers and participants. Certificates of appreciation and participation were presented in recognition of their contributions and involvement in the three-day event.
Alam acknowledged the participation of writers, poets, artists, artisans, entrepreneurs, students, government departments and members of the public, saying their collective involvement had contributed to the festival’s successful organisation.
The event was attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner, District Panchayat Officer, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Assistant Commissioner Development, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, District Information Officer, Tehsildar Kulgam, Assistant Director Employment, Assistant Director Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs and other district officers, besides artists, writers, poets, entrepreneurs, students and members of the public.
The annual festival aimed to provide a common platform for promoting local talent, traditional crafts, literary expression and entrepreneurship while encouraging public participation in preserving and showcasing the cultural heritage of Kulgam.