Sir,
It is heartening to read that a scintillating cultural show, financially supported by Ministry of Culture, Government of India, was organised by Tripple ‘A’ Performing Arts at a Nau Devian, Sulla Park (Reasi) on October 19, 2016.(DE, Oct20, 2016).It is indeed,appreciable that the cultural items such as Kud, Jagrana,Bhakhan, Gojri folk songs etc were presented in the programme amidst a large number of spectators.The folk forms of our state, such as Dogri Geetru, Bhakhan, Kud, Jagrana, Baaran, Kaarak,Kashmiri and Ladakhi folkmusic and folkdances etc , which are an integral part of our rich culture,may also be promoted in the major programmes such as Independence/Republic Day celebrations and other cultural functions.
Moreover, there is also need to organise cultural melas at tehsil and district headquarters to provide an opportunity to the students and budding local artists to display their rich culture as also to enable the young generation to have a glimpse of their rich culture and appreciate it.In this respect, the Department of Information/Field Publicity, Ministry of Culture and agencies such as J and K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages have an important role to play.Our folksongs, folklores and folkdances are an important part of our rich and varied culture and sincere efforts must be made to preserve them otherwise they will vanish into oblivion.The different social and religious organisations also ought to come forward and promote folk music and folkdances.People must take pride in preserving and following their culture and should make arrangements of folk music and folk dances on the eve of marriage, mundan and other social and religious occassions. The parents should also aquaint their children with the prominent features of Dogra culture and tell them stories of the valour, sacrifice and history of Dogra heros and warriors and advise them to feel proud of their rich culture and take pride in promoting and preserving it.Last but not least there is need to start a full fledged Dogri TV Channel to boost and promote Dogra culture in our state.
Yours etc…
Ankita Sharma,
Udhampur