Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 15 Sep: To pay tribute to late folk artists of Uttarakhand and to remember their contributions, the ‘3rd Shraddha Samman’ programme was organised, here. The event included a prayer for the departed souls, along with heartfelt remembrance through their songs. Families of seven late artists were honoured, and saplings were planted in their memory.
The programme was organized by ‘Awaaz Suno Pahadon Ki Manch’ at the Department of Culture Auditorium, Ajabpur. The event began with the lighting of lamps in memory of the departed artists. The lamps were lit by Secretary, Culture Department, Yugal Kishore Pant, Rishikesh Municipal Commissioner Gopal Ram Binwal, Garh Ratna Narendra Singh Negi, Padma Shri awardee Pritam Bharatwan, folk singer Meena Rana, and President of the Manch, Balveer Singh Panwar, among other guests. Eleven young scholars delivered recitations from the Gita and Vedas for the peace of the departed souls.
Culture Secretary Yugal Kishore Pant praised the initiative, calling it commendable and highlighting the Manch’s efforts to document the works and achievements of Uttarakhand’s artists for future generations. Singer and poet Narendra Singh Negi said that artists are the greatest custodians of folk culture, dedicating their lives to preserving and promoting it, yet they are often forgotten after their demise. He welcomed the Manch’s effort, predicting it would grow into a meaningful tradition.
Manch President Balveer Singh Panwar said this programme has been organised for the third consecutive year, and efforts will continue to preserve the state’s folk culture, art, crafts, attire, and cuisine. Programme coordinator Narendra Rauthan said that, without cultural preservation, the very identity of the state cannot be imagined. This programme, he noted, was organised as a tribute to the social and cultural ancestors of the region.
The event began with a Jagar performance by Pritam Bhartwan. Artists then performed songs of the late folk artists. Meena Rana and Virendra Negi performed songs of the late Chandra Singh Rahi, while Kamal Mehra performed his late father Prahlad Mehra’s songs. Other notable performances were given by Dr Nandlal Bharti, Krishna Bagot, Om Badhani, Shanti Verma, Anshu Verma, Kusum Negi, Poonam Sati, Vivek Nautiyal, Rajesh Gaur, Atul Negi, and Krishna, winning the audience’s admiration.
The programme was conducted by Anil Chandola. The organising team included Manch General Secretary Anusuya Uniyal, Vice President Anand Singh Rawat, Programme Coordinator Narendra Rauthan, Yashwant Uniyal, Pooja Chauhan, Aarti Badola, and Kaushalya Devi. Present on the occasion were Vice President, Sanskriti Kala Parishad, Madhu Bhatt, Suresh Bhatt, Vaibhav Goyal, Digmohan Negi, Shakuntala Ishtwal, Raghuvir Bisht, Virendra Dangwal, and Kanta Prasad, along with a large number of attendees.
During the Shraddha Samman program, families of late Girish Tiwari ‘Girda’, Ghannanand Gagodia ‘Ghanna Bhai’, Kabutri Devi, Prahlad Mehra, Devraj Rangeela, Ramratan Kala, Santaram Chauhan, and Girish Chandra Ishtwal were honuored.
Ghanna Bhai’s sons Sushant and Nishant, Kabutri Devi’s relative Neeraj, Prahlad Mehra’s son Kamal Mehra, Devraj Rangeela’s nephew Virendra Singh Negi, Ramratan Kala’s wife Kamla Devi, Santaram Chauhan’s son Siya Singh Chauhan and daughter-in-law Sheetal Chauhan, and Girish Chandra Ishtwal’s wife Shakuntala Ishtwal received the honours.
