Samiti to felicitate Garhwali folk singer on his 66th birthday

Tribune News Service

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Dehradun, August 6

Lok Samman Samiti, comprising eminent personalities of Uttarakhand from various walks of life, will felicitate legendry Garhwali folk singer Narendra Singh Negi in Dehradun, on the occasion of his 66th birthday on August 12.

Kalyan Singh Rawat, environmentalist and president of the Samiti, said people of Garhwal and Kumaon had come together to make Negi’s birthday a big show. Singers, writers, folk artists, social workers and others would be part of the celebrations. Chief Minister Harish Rawat would also be present at the birthday celebrations, slated to take place at Badripur, Dehradun, in the capacity of chief guest, he said.

Himalayan University’s Vice-Chancellor Dr Vijay Dhasmana would preside over the felicitation ceremony, which would be followed by a presentation of research papers on Garhwal, Kumaoni and Jaunsari dialects, to be presented by renowned experts in linguistics. Also, artistes would present Garhwali, Jaunsari, Marcha and other folk dances, Kalyan Singh claimed.

He said the challenges of migration, faced by people residing in villages, had found a forceful voice in Negi’s songs.

“Narendra Singh Negi even touched upon the larger issues of environment and conservation,” he pointed out. He added that the Samiti was receiving a large number of telephone calls from all across the state with people expressing their desire to be part of the celebrations.

Writer Jay Singh Rawat said Negi’s contribution towards enriching Garhwali folk songs had been immense. The folk singer had always taken a firm stand against corruption and even highlighted social evils through his songs. He described Negi as a personality who never compromised with his principles.

“Through his songs, Negi, apart from highlighting corruption, also brought to the notice the plight of the people of hills,” Jay Singh added.