Chambyali beats echo across Himalayan fest in West Bengal

The rich and vibrant culture of Chamba took centre stage at the Himalayan Folk Festival in West Bengal, with folk singer Sannu Ram, alias Bittu Premi, captivating the audience with traditional Chambyali songs under the Chalo Chamba campaign.

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His enthralling performance earned Chamba district the third place and a cash prize of Rs 1 lakh at the festival.

The event, organised by Varnamala Parivar and Association for Conservation and Tourism (ACT) Foundation, was held from January 10 to 12 in Siliguri, featuring artists from various Himalayan regions.

Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, as the chief guest at the event, honoured the top performers.

While West Bengal’s Thathri group secured first place, Nepal claimed second.

Approximately 150 participants from Himalayan regions showcased their unique cultural traditions at the event.

Artiste applications were invited in December, and NGO Not on Map was entrusted with encouraging North Indian artistes to participate.

Selected artistes submitted one-minute video auditions to a designated WhatsApp number. “I feel fortunate to represent Chamba’s culture and art on an international platform under the Chalo Chamba campaign. Sharing our traditions with audiences worldwide was an unforgettable experience,” said Bittu Premi.

Not on Map co-founder Manuj Sharma emphasised the significance of the festival, and expressed gratitude to the organisers for providing a platform to artistes from remote regions to showcase their talent.

“We are grateful to Varnamala Parivar and ACT Foundation for entrusting us with the responsibility of promoting North Indian artists. The award for Chamba is a proud moment, marking a milestone in advancing the district’s rich cultural heritage through the Chalo Chamba campaign. We aim to spread awareness about Chamba’s traditions far and wide,” he added.

The Himalayan Folk Festival not only provided a platform for regional artists to showcase their talent but also highlighted the diverse and colourful cultures of the Himalayan region, fostering cultural exchange and appreciation, he added.