2-day fest ends with call to preserve folk art

The two-day Sargam Cultural Festival concluded at Government College at Kotla Behad in the Jaswan Assembly constituency of Kangra district yesterday. The college in collaboration with the Youth Development Centre, a cultural organisation, organised the event with an objective to preserve and promote Indian art and culture.

Educationist Hem Raj had inaugurated the festival by lighting the traditional lamp. He said that the preservation of folk arts was necessary to maintain, promote and popularise the rich cultural heritage of India. He added that the folk culture was an important heritage for future generations, too, as “it promotes national unity and enhances cultural tourism that brings economic benefits”.

He said, “It is the moral responsibility of all of us to try to take the rich folk culture of Himachal from villages to the world stage.” The young students of the host college presented folk dance ‘Jhamkara’, leaving an audience of art and music lovers spell-bound. Wearing traditional costumes, the students presented ‘Nati’ and an educational skit on anti-drug awareness and girls education. The Pahari and Punjabi folk dances prompted youths to shake a leg. Harshita motivated the youths to keep away from social evils.