Excelsior Correspondent
KARGIL, Dec 21: Acting Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil Aga Syed Abbass Razvi inaugurated two-day Kargil Ladakh Losar- Traditional New Year Cultural and Literary Festival at Language Center New Academy Complex here today.
Executive Councillor for Agriculture Mohammad Ali Chandan was also present on the occasion.
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The two day cultural and literary extravaganza has been organized by Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Kargil, where around 70 writers, poets, scholars and folk artists of the Balti, Purgi and Shina Dardi tribal groups from different areas of the district are participating.
A number of senior officers from the District Administration, senior scholars, writers and poets, students and a jam packed hall of audience witnessed the various sessions during the first day of the festival.
Acting CEC expressed optimism that the festival would prove an ideal platform to enlighten the general masses especially the younger generation of today about the importance of upholding the glorious folk literature and ancestral values of the bygone era which forms an integral part of the true identity of Kargil.
He stressed the need of cultural consciousness at the mass level so that every individual can contribute his bit in this regard. He also appealed the writers and poets participating in the two days meet to make the sessions fruitful, purposeful and result oriented by way of their valuable research-oriented suggestions, inputs as well as constructive debates and deliberations adding this would enable the Academy to devise a roadmap for future course of action with regard to the challenges and opportunities of the vernacular languages.
Acting CEC assured that the LAHDC Kargil will extend all out support to the Ladakh Academy of Art, Culture and Languages Kargil in the conduct of various activities related to the preservation and promotion of culture and heritage in the district.
Executive Councillor for Agriculture Mohammad Ali Chandan who also spoke on the occasion said that such initiatives of cultural awakening by the Academy are the need of the day as the rich treasure of folk traditions is gradually fading away. He hoped that the Academy will continue its endeavors with special emphasis on talent hunt programmes and workshops on cultural awakening for youngsters in the days to come.
Earlier, Mohammad Ali Tak Special Officer for Cultural Activities, Kargil, presented the welcome address.
Meanwhile, 14 poets presented their poetic renderings while as research-oriented papers and short stories were also presented during. Moreover, folk music performances were also presented by the folk artists.
Poets who presented their poetic compositions today included Akhone Asgar Ali Basharat, Akhone Safdar Ali Safdar, Ghulam Qadir Zaki, Mohammad Ali Babaa, Akbar Ali Khan Shaheen, Mohammad Hussain Fayaz, Tsewang Gyaltson, Fida Hussain Wazir Fida, Ghulam Ahmad Khan Jawan, Akhone Mohammad Ali Subeor, Bashir Ahmad Wafa, Mohammad Ali Khumar, Mohammad Abbass Behashti and Sajjad Hussain Shujaat.
Senior scholars Ajaz Hussain Munshi and Mohammad Sadiq Hardassi presented their research oriented papers on the topics Antiquities of Purig-Kargil and Traditional Sports and Games of Ladakh respectively while as writers Mohammad Abbass Zameer and Mohammad Taqi Khan Nayaab presented their short stories.
Solo folk singers who presented their folk performances included Fatima Nissa, Fahmeeda Fatima and Ghulam Mohammad.
Senior poet Bashir Ahmad Wafa conducted the proceedings while as Cultural Expert Tsewang Rigzin delivered the vote of thanks.
On the second day of the meet poetry, short story and paper recital sessions, discussions and deliberations as well as folk music performances, are slated to be organized.
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