J&K government to start art and cultural programs in public places

SRINAGAR: Bringing local culture into the day to day lives of the people, Jammu and Kashmir government will hold art and cultural programmes in public places.

"Beginning from the historic city of Srinagar, I have asked the Department of Culture to convene series of programmes mostly on weekends in public places like Badam Vaer (Almond Alcove), Iqbal Park, Sunday market, Lal Chowk, Pratap Park and other places," Minister for Finance and Culture Haseeb Drabu said.

As part of the initiative, a musical evening, which will resonate the historic Badam Vaer in Srinagar with the strings of Rabab, is being organised today to celebrate the legacy of Shair-e-Kashmir (poet of Kashmir) Ghulam Ahmad Mehjoor.

Drabu is known for his inspiring initiatives, during his stint as J&K Bank Chairman, to preserve and promote state's cultural heritage.

"By organising such programmes, we want to bring art in public spaces," Drabu said.

It is being done in a different way to bring out the richness of the state's culture through theme-based programmes by dedicating evenings to legendary poets, musical instruments and poetic genres, he added.

The programmes will also provide a platform to the youth to showcase their talent through art and photography exhibitions, street plays and street art, the Minister said.

"The objective of this distinctive series of programmes is also to promote creative theatrical expression and artistic enrichment," he said.

"The idea is to make art and culture part of our daily lives so much so that it subtly blends into our daily chores and adds substance and cheer to our lives," he added.