Shah Qalandar Folk theatre, in collaboration with the District Administration Bandipora, J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, and All J&K Folk Artists Association, organised a mega cultural festival at Government Degree College Bandipora on Wednesday.

Chief guest Deputy Commissioner of Bandipora Owais Ahmed inaugurated the cultural festival with ‘Isban Sozi’.

The programme witnessed various cultural performances including Bacha Nagma, Kashmiri Wanwun, and Kashmiri Rouf, by students, besides folk dances and music performances.

The performances were full of social messages for availing benefits from various government schemes, maintaining cleanliness in surroundings and contributing to other developmental fronts.

The programme was also attended by the Chairperson of District Development Council Ab Gani Bhat, Vice Chairperson, DDC Kousar Shafeeq, SSP Bandipora Mohd Zahid, Principal GDC Bandipora Dr. Syed Willayat Rizvi, DPO Bandipora Mohd Ashraf Hakak, Joint Director Planning Imtiyaz Ahmad and students of college and other concerned.

The festival was organised to celebrate the rich tradition, culture, and heritage of the district.

The DC complimented the organizers for organizing such a cultural show in the district. He said such events boost the revival of the culture of Kashmir valley.

He said, It is encouraging to see the interest of youth and students in the revival of culture and participation in such events and stressed maintaining Bandipora’s identity of Alim, Adab, and Aab.

Owais in his speech urged the youth and college-going students to join hands with the administration for eradicating the drug menace from District. He urged students to focus on studies to showcase talent in different fields.

While expressing his views, Festival Director, Gulzar Ahmad Bhat said that conducting programme at District Level was aimed to promote cultural traditions and provide a platform to young artists to showcase their talent.

He expressed gratitude to District Administration, Principal GDC Bandipora, and other supporting agencies for organising the show. He said the administration has taken various initiatives to promote culture and is keen to support artists of J&K. Jash e Kashmir events are providing a platform for the youth artists to showcase their talent, he added.

Later, all the participants were felicitated with awards and mementos during a felicitation ceremony.

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