Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: In a grand initiative Dogra Sadar Sabha (DSS) revived the annual Dogra event as ‘Duggar Mela-2025’, earlier known as Jammu Festival.
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Originally this event was launched on April 14, 1994 by Dogra Sadar Sabha to showcase Dogra art, culture and promote local Dogra artists and artisans by bringing to the fore Dogri art, music, folk music, handicrafts and give a window to the various local talents for encouragement, development and trade promotion.
Thereafter, on the pursuance of Dogra Sadar Sabha J&K Govt agreed to organize the event as Jammu Festival with Deputy Commissioner Jammu as its Nodal Officer. Unfortunately, over the years the event drifted from its original aim and purpose once handling government departments started outsourcing it by inviting artists from other states. It got reduced to an entertainment eve presented by artists hired from neighbouring States. Finally, it got discontinued during Covid-19.
This initiative by the DSS is a step to revert it to its original form to benefit the local population and give them opportunity to display their talents, create SHGs and get to start-ups fitting into the framework of such programmes launched by the Prime Minister in other States/UTs.
In this renewed initiative today, the DSS organised this Duggar Mela-2025 in the jampacked Sabha Bhawan, Dogra Hall Jammu in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages. Yudhvir Sethi, MLA Jammu East was the chief guest while former minister of J&K State Th Gulchain Singh Charak, president DSS presided over the function.
The function started by lighting of the traditional lamp by the chief guest and other dignitaries. Incharge Youth Wing Gambhir Dev Singh welcomed the guests and gave details of the Duggar Mela. The festivity started by the song of Dogra valour by students of Rich Harvest School followed by instrumental performance in Dogri by Rakesh Anand who enthralled the audience. The Gojri & Pahari songs by Bashir Mastana & Punjabi Sufians by Mohinder Soni were other attractions in the mesmerising musical treat that kept the local audience thrilled and charmed.
Asha Kesar, renowned Dogri folk singer presented Bhaakh, in her melodious voice which was also well received by the audience. The rhythm was performed by Rakesh Anand (flute), Vijay Anand (Dholak), Joginder Pal (Tabla), Krishan Kumar Johny (Synth) and Rohit (Santoor). Many eminent citizens of Jammu were present on the occasion.
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