‘Jashn-i-Kala Sanskriti’ festival celebrates Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage

Srinagar Nov 26: The “Jashn-i-Kala Sanskriti” festival, a week-long cultural extravaganza, was organised to celebrate the golden jubilee of the Young Dramatists Society.

The event, held under the aegis of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and supported by the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL) and Jammu and Kashmir Bank Ltd., attracted over 500 artists, actors, and musicians, offering a vivid display of Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage.

The festival, organised as part of the Foundation Day celebrations for the Young Dramatists Society’s 50th year, was marked by a variety of performances, workshops, and interactive sessions. These included theatrical productions, traditional folk dances, and live music performances from established and emerging artists, reflecting the diverse artistic traditions of the region.

With over 150 talented student artists from local universities and colleges joining 350 professional performers, the festival featured a spectrum of cultural expressions. Performances ranged from thought-provoking theatre plays addressing contemporary social and cultural issues to lively folk dances celebrating Kashmir’s unique traditions.

The event brought together prominent cultural groups like Shahkaar Cultural Society, Kashmir Valley Theatre, and Mehboob Cultural Society, who performed alongside local artists, creating a vibrant cultural tapestry.

“The festival served as an important platform for emerging artists, allowing them to share their craft with a wider audience,” an official handout reads. “It was heartening to see the overwhelming support from both local artists and the community,” it reads.

In addition to performances, the festival hosted a series of workshops and panel discussions led by industry experts. These sessions delved into various aspects of theatre production, scriptwriting, and acting. The workshops attracted a significant number of young enthusiasts, eager to learn and hone their skills in the performing arts. The discussions also highlighted the importance of preserving and promoting the cultural heritage of the region, with many speakers emphasizing the role of theatre in fostering social awareness and dialogue.

The Ministry of Culture, Government of India, played a central role in facilitating the event, along with the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages, which helped to bring the festival to life. Jammu and Kashmir Bank also extended significant support to the event.

Dignitaries from the Ministry of Culture, JKAACL, and Jammu and Kashmir Bank attended the concluding ceremony, where they applauded the festival’s success and praised the dedication of the Young Dramatists Society in promoting cultural heritage. “The young dramatists have done a remarkable job in bringing together such a large number of artists to showcase the cultural wealth of Kashmir,” the handout reads.