New cultural troupes felicitated; senior artists call for unity to safeguard Uttarakhand’s folk heritage
Almora:
A joint meeting of folk artists was held at Shri Laxmi Bhandar Hookah Club in Almora under the chairmanship of veteran theatre personality Tribhuwan Giri. Folk artists and representatives of cultural troupes from across Uttarakhand discussed several long-pending issues affecting the state’s cultural community.
The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the chief guests. Senior cultural personalities, including Bhairav Dutt Rai, Sundar Latwal, Prakash Rawat, Prakash Bisht, Prakash Bhatt, Dr. Lalit Joshi ‘Yogi’, Bimla Bora and Anoop Kumar, attended the event.
During the meeting, leaders of newly registered cultural troupes under the Directorate of Culture were felicitated. Rajendra Tiwari, President of Kumaon Mahotsav-2026, was honoured for the successful organisation of the festival. Senior folk artist Prakash Bisht, recently conferred the Government of India’s “Lok Kalakar Sadhak Samman”, was also felicitated.
Speakers demanded the immediate implementation of the Chief Minister’s announcement regarding an increase in honorarium for folk artists. They also urged the government to release long-pending payments to registered cultural troupes, implement a pension scheme for folk artists, resolve GST-related issues, and extend the validity of Information and Public Relations Department audition certificates from three to five years.
Addressing the gathering, the speakers stressed that unity among artists is essential to protect their rights and preserve Uttarakhand’s rich folk culture. The meeting concluded with a collective pledge to work together for the promotion, preservation and welfare of folk artists across the state.
