Excelsior Correspondent
![A young artist performing during Youth Music Festival at Jammu on Monday.](http://www.dailyexcelsior.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/page8-31-300x169.jpg)
JAMMU, May 18: 4 -day Youth Music Festival `Pounger’ by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages Jammu, began, here today.
On this occasion, Prof Kailash Mehra, a renowned singer was chief guest while Dr Usha Bhagati, famous artist, Prof Raj Kumar, prominent Hindi poet, writer and scholar and Dr Arvinder Singh Amn , Additional Secretary, Jammu and Kashmir, Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Jammu were in the presidium .
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Kailash Mehra hoped that the initiative taken by J&K Cultural Academy of organizing this 4-day youth music festival will encourage the youth to excel in their respective field of music and singing. She said that Jammu and Kashmir State has lot of talent in the field of folk and classical muosique in particular and these young artists only require the platform and recognition and J&K Cultural Academy has done a tremendous job by organizing this music festival for youth of the region.
Dr Arvinder Singh Amn presented welcome address and highlighted the Academy’s aim and objective in organizing such music activities.
The young artists, who participated in the event, included Nishu Manhas ( Dogri and Urdu), Monika Sharma (Urdu Gazal), Vishwagandharav (Dogri song), Stainzen (Hindi song), Aseem Sharma, Shubhangi (Urdu Gazal) and Tanishika Tickoo.
The accompanists, who accompanied the singers with Rbythus, included Joginder Pal (Tabla), Rakesh Anand (Flute), Sunil Sharma (Synth) and Additya Bhanu.
The proceedings of the programme were conducted by Reeta Kharyal, Asst Editor
Dogri and vote of thanks was presented by Dr Rattan Lal Basotra, Asstt. Editor, Dictionary, J&K, Cultural Academy.
Among others, present on the occasion, included Dr Baljeet Raina, M S Kamra, Jaswant Singh, Krishan Lal Mast, parents, teachers, artists, writers, and prominent citizens from Jammu.