Jammu Kashmir Festival,Karan Singh inaugurates National Seminar on J&K at New Delhi

New Delhi, March 01: On seventh day of ongoing Jammu Kashmir Festival Dr.Karan Singh, Chairman, Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) inaugurated two day National Seminar on Eco-Cultural Heritage of Kashmir here this morning. The event was a part of eight day festival which is being jointly organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages and Indira Gandhi Centre for Arts New Delhi.

In his inaugural speech Dr. Karan Singh said that J&K state is one of the richest state of India in term of Art, Culture and Literature added that when we think of Kashmir we must understand that it comprises of all the five regions including that of which are presently a part of Pakistan territory. He said this seminar will definitely explore a possibility of better understanding of each others culture and respecting each others.

Zaffar Iqbal Manhas Secretary Academy while welcoming the guests stated that this national seminar is being organized with the sole objective of understating cultural sensibilities of state and initiate a Cultural dialog between various ethno-linguistic entities. He said that Academy will hold a Multi Lingual Writers Conference at Jammu in this context and to address the challenges ahead in culture related fields.

Eminent art critic Sunil Khosa and renowned scholar from Ladakh presented their papers on Buddhist Culture. The other who read out research papers on different topics pertaining to traditional culture of J&K includes S S Toshkhani, G C Tripathi, Sushma Z Jatoo, Peerzada Mohammad Ashraf, Omkar Nath Koul, V N Drabu, , Vidhu Ganjoor, Ghirdhari Lal Kaw, Sunil Kumar Lal, Salighram Bhatt, Mohammad Shafi Zahid B L Malla and Geetka Kaw.

In open-air theatre prominent artist Dilip Lango and party enthrall the audience with their spell bond performance.Dr. Karan Singh was Chief Guest on the occasion while Sh Wajahat Habibullah, director Information Commission, Dr K K Chakeravarity Member Secretary IGNCA were also present.

Pok Na Hamdam a Kashmiri play by Nissar Naseem staged at main theatre of IGNCA and was highly appreciated by the audience.

Today five films on different aspects of J&K also screened at IGNCA Studio. A film directed by renowned film maker Ved Rahi on life and work famous Dogri poet Dinu Bhai Panth was highly appreciated by the film makers and art critic. In this festival as many as 35 films on cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir are to be screened. Ravinder Koul and Ms. Sameena Khan were conducted proceedings of today’s events. (NAK)