Srinagar, Sep 24: Governor, NN Vohra, inaugurated a 5-day “Folk Dance and Music Festival 2011” organized by the Song and Drama Division, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, at Nageen Club, Saturday evening.
 An official handout said more than 230 artists from various parts of the country, including 80 from Jammu and Kashmir, are participating in this cultural event which has been organized in collaboration with the Department of Information and Public Relations and Tourism Department of the J&K Government.
 Speaking after inaugurating the Festival, the Governor observed that cultural festivals promote national integration and communal harmony and build bridges of understanding among the people.          
 Referring to the Folk Dance and Music Festival-2011, the Governor said that some months ago during a conversation with a senior officer of the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry he had mentioned to the profitability of reviving the activities of the Song and Drama Division in the State. He added that the Song and Drama Division has been promoting cultural linkages and harmony among the people of our vast country by organizing cultural performances over the past decades.         
 The Governor congratulated the Song and Drama Division for organizing this Festival and urged   Nawang Rigzin Jora, Minister for Tourism and Culture and Khawaja Farooq Renzushah, Director Information, to enable the Kashmir unit to organize similar cultural festivals in the rural areas of the State for the larger benefit of the people.             
 Lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Governor marked the commencement of this Festival.         
 Speaking on the occasion,   Nawang Rigzin Jora said that with the return of peace and normalcy cultural activities have started picking up in the Kashmir Valley. He congratulated the Song and Drama Division for organizing this Festival in which a large number of artists from various parts of the country are participating.
 Earlier, in his welcome address,   Arvind Kumar, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, gave details of the history, evolution and activities of the Song and Drama Division which was set up in 1954. LR Vishwanath, Director, Song and Drama Division, said that this Festival was envisioned by the Governor and thanked him for taking keen interest in the promotion of cultural activities in the State. He also gave details of this Folk Dance and Drama Festival and the initiatives being taken by his organization for the promotion and showcasing of rich composite cultural heritage of the country.
 A captivating cultural programme highlighting the glorious cultural heritage of the country was presented on the occasion by the artists.
 Gopa Biswas, Assistant Director, Song and Drama Division, J&K, presented a Vote of Thanks.
 Senior officers, prominent citizens and artists were present on this occasion.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 24 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 25 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST