SAPTAK for promotion of cultural heritage

Excelsior Correspondent

Kamal Sharma and Vijay Atri interacting with media persons at Jammu on Monday. —Excelsior/Rakesh

JAMMU, Aug 26: SAPTAK-an association of music artists, exhorted the music artists’ fraternity to work fervently for the preservation and promotion of rich cultural heritage of the J&K in general and Duggar region in particular.
Addressing a press conference, Kamal Sharma, president, SAPTAK told that “SAPTAK” is an endeavor to promote the classical, light and folk music, as our heritage, is being invaded by the western culture and the film music, has overshadowed the folk music.
Sharma elaborated that “SAPTAK” will make efforts for reviving “Bhaakh”, “Geetru”, “Kaarak”, “Baar” and other folk forms of the region. It shall bring-out in lime light the traditional folk instruments such as “Kieng”, “Morchang”, “Sarangi”, “Nagoza”, “Narsingha”, “Ghara-Thali” and “DAFLA”, he added.
“Haran”, “Fummani” and “Nikku Kud”, the fading-out dance forms will also be made to vibrate the cultural scene of Jammu, Sharma informed.
National festivals like Independence Day, Republic Day besides other important days, the birth and death anniversaries of the national and local heroes will be commemorated, he said, adding that Diwali, Eid, Gurpurarb, Christmas and other festivals will be celebrated in a befitting manner, aiming adequate exposure to the younger generation about diversity and rich socio-cultural heritage.
The association will felicitate the legendary artists of the region and also work for their welfare. At the same time “SAPTAK” will provide opportunities to the senior as well as budding artists  to perform on a common platform and discuss their problems, he added.
Sharma also underlined the need for formulating a cultural policy by the Government.
Sharma further informed that Praduman Singh, Krishana Kumari, KL Verma, Kailash Mehra, Anita Sharma, Jatinder Kaur and Ravi Sharma are in the advisory of the association, while Rakesh Singh Slathia, Vikas Nagar, Vicky Gill, Bashir Mastana and Ashwini Sharma are in the working committee.
Among others present were Amarjit Singh, vice president, Vijay Atri, general secretary, Brij Mohan, secretary, Rakesh Anand, joint secretary, Vishal Gupta, publicity secretary and Upma Sharma, cashier.