JAMMU, Apr 13: Artists from Kashmir today welcomed Balwant Thakur, an eminent cultural figure of Jammu and Kashmir, at Tagore Hall in Srinagar.Thakur, who served as Secretary of the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art Culture and Languages from 1995 to 2003, and later as Regional Director of Indian Council for Cultural Relations Jammu & Kashmir between 2012 to 2018, was felicitated after his return to the region after a decade.During his interactions with various groups of artists, including Rouf, Dhambali, Bhand Pather, and Kashmiri Sazina, Thakur spoke at length about the opportunities available both within and outside the country for showcasing the rich culture of Jammu and Kashmir.He shared his experience of diplomatic assignments in South Africa and Mauritius, highlighting the growing demand amongst foreign audiences to learn, explore and observe the rarest performing art traditions of Jammu and Kashmir.To cater to this demand, Thakur emphasized the need to infuse sheer professionalism in the production and presentation of arts.Over 300 artists, including Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Mohd Sadeeq, Chairman of All Kashmir Folk Artists Association, Bismillah Khan Yuva Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Shah-e-Jahan, Bismillah Khan Yuva Sangeet Natak Akademi Awardee Manzoor-ul-Haq, and various other cultural group leaders, attended Thakur’s brief sessions.Balwant Thakur expressed his happiness at seeing their charged enthusiasm and fervor towards promoting the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
