Kullu Dasehra notified as international festival

Our Correspondent

KULLU, SEPtember 27

Chairman of the Kullu Dasehra Festival Committee and Kullu Deputy Commissioner Yunus Khan has said Kullu Dasehra festival had been officially notified as an international festival this year.

The extravaganza was made the state-level festival in 1966 and a national-level festival in 1970. In 1973, cultural troupe from Romania participated in the festival and it was termed as international festival. While many international troupes have participated in the festival since then, the notification to this regard has been passed after 44 years.

The DC said efforts were being made to diversify the festival further and the seven-day festival would be held on different themes every day.

He said on the first day of Dasehra on September 30, the theme would be drug de-addiction and families of martyrs throughout the state would be awarded by the Governor. He stated that a large number of women would participate in the Kullu Natti to be held on the second day of Dasehra to lead the message of ‘save and educate girl child’. Actress Deepti Naval will participate in group dance.

He said that on October 2 on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti the theme would be ‘Swachh Bharat’. Competition among artisans of the valley would be held on October 3 to promote local traditions and culture. Painting competition would be held on the 5th day. These will be based on Kullu art, architecture, traditions and customs.

He said various international cultural troupes, besides cultural groups of seven states, would participate in the festivities. Many famous Bollywood and Punjabi singers would enthrall the audience. He said this year the total income from the sale of plots to the traders was Rs 4.35 crore. A sum of around Rs 45 lakh would be given to star performers during the festival. Khan said nearly 16,000 police personnel and about 500 Home Guard jawans would be deployed during the festival.

Different themes 

• On first day on September 30, the theme would be drug de-addiction. Women would participate in the Kullu Natti on second day of Dasehra to lead the message of ‘save and educate girl child’ 
• On October 2, on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, the theme would be ‘Swachh Bharat’. Competition among valley artisans would be held on October 3 to promote local culture 
• Painting competition would be held on 5th day of the Dasehra based on Kullu art, architecture, traditions and customs