Culture Transformation

ultural Transformation

One of the common features of all these melas was display of local folk dance accompanied by traditional folk instruments. It helped in promotion of art and culture and cultural evenings were marked by stage dramas and skits but the mainstay was the folk drama. However, now the cultural evenings are dominated by Bollywood and television stars thus pushing the folk artists and folk music to the back stage.

Financial Assistance from Government

The state government provides financial assistance to different festivals and melas through local administrative organising committees as follows:

National Level:             Rs 2 lakh (Five in number)

State level:                       Rs I lakh (Nine in number)

District level:                30,000 (37 in number)

Local artists are being exploited and Himachali festivals and melas are becoming Punjab occupied. Organisers hesitate to pay more to Himachali artists and shell out hefty amounts to Punjabi artists performing in the state 

-Abhishek Bisht

Lead Singer, Laman Band 

The administration should take care of Himachal folk artists by giving them considerable slot on the stage as most of the time is allotted to Punjabi artists. Festivals and melas are for conserving promoting local art and culture

-Neeru Chandni

Himachali Folk Singer, Lahaul & Spiti

Chhinj (wrestling) sport should be promoted as this is integral part of our melas. Special efforts are required to promote local art and culture by envisaging a schemes by learning from other states

-KC Sharma

Retired IAS Officer, Dharamshala

Traditional artists and not groups should be given opportunity to promote almost extinct traditional musical instruments apart from traditional ritual women singers and artisans

-Gautam Vyathit

Art Promoter, Kangra