Admin to spend Rs2.70 Cr for traditional, cultural festival in Kashmir in three months

The administration will be spending an estimated Rs.2.70 Crore for the promotion of traditional and cultural festivals in Kashmir in three months.

As per the information available, the Divisional Level Implementation Committee (DLIC) constituted for implementation of the scheme for promotion of traditional and cultural festivals in Jammu and Kashmir has proposed 12 festivals which shall be held across the Kashmir division, for the first three months of this year.

A senior official told that the government has decided to promote traditional and cultural festivals across Jammu and Kashmir, following which festivals will be held across the Union Territory, which includes Sufi, Cultural, Tribal Pahari, Traditional and Nauroz festivals.

He added, “The festivals have been categorized into three broader categories, medium, large and mega-by keeping a sum of Rs.10 lacs, Rs.20 lacs and Rs.40 lacs respectively for each festival in the respective category.
The official added that the festivals that have been finalized, will be held in January, February and March.

The official informed that an Inter-District Cultural Festival will be held at Pulwama and other districts on 9th January, whereas, an estimated Rs.20 lacs will be spent on the festival. Adding that he said, the festival will be held to highlight the essence of Gurudwaras in the composite culture of Kashmir, particularly, to celebrate the arrival of the sixth Guru of Sikhs.

Also during the festival, natak presentation to educate people about cultural aspects of the Sikh community wills he held, the official added.

“From 15 to 16th February, a Sufi festival will be held in Anantnag district, wherein, Sufi and Qawwali performance will be held. Also during the festival, recitation of research papers will be organized on the historical importance of Sufism in Kashmir to educate and inform the local people about the essence of Sufism”, he added. Adding that he said that over Rs.20 lacs will be spent on the festival.

“And on 7th to 9th February, the Composite Cultural Festival will be held in Kupwara. During the festival, composite folk music and dance forms of the Union Territory will be presented. Teams from both divisions of Jammu and Kashmir will be presented”, the official added. He added that Rs.40 lacs will be spent on the festival.
He added that from 14th to 15th February, the Tribal Cultural festival will be held in the Ganderbal district. During the festival presentation of tribal culture and traditions of Kashmir valley, with a focus on the culture of Dards and Baltis among other tribal identities of the valley, will be showcased. Adding that he said that Rs.20 lacs, will be spent on the festival.

In Baramulla, the Pahari Cultural festival will be held on 17 and 19th February. Natak will be staged to educate people about Pahari culture and tradition will be showcased and over Rs.20 lacs will be spent on the festival, he added.

The official further said that the Traditional Cultural Festival will be held in Budgam from 23-25th February. The festival of this scale is proposed to revive and rejuvenate the cultural ethos of the area. He added that over Rs.40 lacs will be spent on the festival.

“Further, the Meraj-e-Aalam Festival will be held in Srinagar in five different places on 28th February, while, the festival of this scale is proposed to revive and rejuvenate the cultural ethos of Kashmir. The administration will spend Rs.20 lacs on the festival”, he added.

“Also, the Maha Shivratri festival will also be held in Srinagar at a cost of Rs.20 Lacs on 1st and 2nd March. During the festival, the Shankar Acharia temple and other Shiva temples of Srinagar and its periphery will be illuminated using warm-white lights to generate the spirit of festivity”, he added.

The official added that three festivals will be held in March. “Habba Khatoon festival in Pulwama district at a cost of Rs.20 lacs, Regional Cultural Festival in Bandipora in Bandipora at a cost of Rs.20 lacs, Nauroz festival in Shopian at a cost of Rs.10 lacs and Sufi festival in Kulgam at a cost of Rs.20 lacs”, he added.