3-day Jammu & Kashmir Festival inaugurated in New Delhi
Composite culture of Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh on display

A view of participating artists during Jammu and Kashmir Festival at New Delhi.

New Delhi, 7th of October – Jammu and Kashmir Festival took off to a colourful start here this evening at Sri Ram Centre, Mandi House. About 300 hundred artists from all parts of state are participating in this bigger event which spread out across more venues. Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy was chief Minister was Chief guest while Mohammad Shafi Uri Member Parlment was guest of honour.

The three-day event has been organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, in collaboration Delhi International Arts Festival.

Welcoming the guests Mr. Zafar Iqbal, Secretary, Cultural Academy said that this mega venture was specially designed by the Academy to project J&K as a model in respect of glouriuse cultural ethose. He said that the other objective for organizing this event in the union capital was to showcase the composite legacy of art, culture, languages and theatre of Jammu and Kashmir before world.

The highlights of three day mega cultural event includes performances of light music, classical music and vocal, in young artists’ sections we are presenting a special Jammu and Kashmir festival featuring 100 children, Sufi festival, a theatre festival, visual art festivals and interactive folk dance and bands nights at the DLF Saket mall and Jamia Milya Islamia.
The main attraction of todays venture includes Kashmiri Rouf Dance , Chajja Dance (Dogri), Bhand , Kashmiri Folk Theatre performance by Gulmarg folk theatre group, Bagston Tses by Ladakhi group, Gojri Folk Music, Pahari Folk Music & Dance, Chakri (Kashmiri Music), Haran Dance (Dogri), Purgi Dance by Kargili Group, Bachnagma by , Kud Dance (Dogri), Dhamali Dance of Kashmir by Lalbab group.

Dr. Abdullah in his address said that the cultural exhibition which is part of the exhibition is greatly inspiring, adding the visitors of the festival would be curious to visit the State for gaining in-depth knowledge about its diverse art and culture. Stating that Jammu and Kashmir is a confluence of distinct cultures that gives it a unique place in the country Dr. Abdullah said that more such events should be organized across the country. He said Culture integrates us and those who related with culture believe on unity in diversity.