Acting Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil, Er Punchoq Tashi on Saturday called for promotion and preservation of indigenous culture which, he said, determines the true identity of a race.The chairman said folklore is one of the integral components of any culture and the need of the hour is to pay immediate attention towards its promotion and preservation.The acting CEC stated this while addressing people during the day-long Kargil Ladakh Losar (Traditional New Year) Festival, 2018 at Haru near Tourist Dak Bungalow Garkone, Kargil.The festival which was organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Kargil witnessed performances of seven cultural troupes by artists from different areas of Kargil District like Hardass, Wakha, Mulbekh, Bodh Kharboo, Darchiks, Garkone and Drass who mesmerized the dignitaries.A mammoth gathering of cultural enthusiasts were treated by folk music, folklore and folk dance during the event. The Aryan Valley reverberated with the tunes of folk songs and folk tales with the accompaniment of ‘daman’ and ‘surna’ during the cultural extravaganza which won thundering rounds of applause.The festival was part of the series of initiatives being taken by Cultural Academy Kargil to preserve and sustain the invaluable pieces of folk literature of Kargil area, besides providing platform to Purgi, Balti, Dardi and Shina folk artists representing the areas spread across Kargil district to present glimpses of their folk songs and folklore in their traditional music and dance forms.Er Tashi emphasized the need to uphold and advocate the traditional ethical values for which Kargil is known for centuries and to pass them to the next generation in their true essence. He said it will be a befitting gift to our posterity.
The acting CEC while congratulating the Academy for having organized a vibrant multiethnic cultural extravaganza, said there is urgent need to take steps in sustaining and preserving the tradition of festivals and traditional celebrations as well as the glorious folk literature of Kargil which comprises of folk songs and folk tales based on themes of social and moral ethos, communal harmony, peaceful coexistence, decency, etc.Tashi said such initiatives of cultural awakening by the Academy are the need of the day as rich treasure of folk traditions is gradually fading away. He hoped that the Academy will continue its endeavours with special emphasis on talent hunt programmes and workshops on cultural awakening for youngsters.Earlier, during the welcome speech, Muhammad Ali Tak Special Officer for Cultural Activities, Kargil, while underlining the purpose of the one-day festival, said the prime objective was to enable the folk artists especially the younger ones to relate to their roots and to let them know the importance of indigenous dialects and traditions.Tak said a number of languages across the globe are at the verge of extinction as no serious steps are being taken to ensure their promotion and preservation.
Among others who were present on the occasion included Councillor Thasgam, Abdul Rahim and Assistant Director Tourism Kargil who were the special guests on the occasion, besides district and Block Level Officers (BDO).The event also drew massive crowds of cultural enthusiasts that comprised of men, women and children from Darchiks Garkone and the adjoining villages. The local people thanked the Academy for organizing the folk festival in their area.Meanwhile, the locals presented a number of demands before the acting CEC that included provision of mobile services at Garkone area, enhancement in electricity hours, expansion of Kargil-Batalik Road, establishment of Dardi Study Center in the area, promotion of Aryan Valley on tourism map, promotion of border and cultural tourism, establishment of Buddhist Sarai at Kargil, inclusion of Darchiks Garkone area under ALC category, proper implementation of BADP scheme, establishment of Community Health Center in the area, opening up of Advisory Board for Dardi language and other related demands.The Acting CEC gave a patient hearing to all grievances and demands and assured people that a resolution will be found to them in a phased manner.