10 Day Duggar Darpan organised by Utsaah, the Clubs  Concludes at JU

IGNCA Celebrates its Foundation Day

Jammu, March 20:  In the finale of the ten-day multi-arts festival “Duggar Darpan,” organised by “Utsaah,” the Clubs, University of Jammu in collaboration with Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Ministry of Culture, Government of India, Regional Centre, Jammu and Kashmir, a bonanza of programmes were showcased within the premises of the Main Campus as Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts, Regional Centre, J&K celebrated its Foundation Day. The intricately curated, day-long event, was a rich treat of the finest performances, particularly capturing the essence of the history, art, and culture of the Jammu region. The array of programmes, then be it the exhibitions of photography, paintings, installation, display of “Sada Gran” with stalls of local culinary, singing, music, dances, drama, literary discussions, poetry recitations, or the visual arts, offered a spectacle to every onlooker conjuring an atmosphere and ambience of a festival with the beats of drums and Dogri folk songs being heard at regular intervals.

While addressing the audience, Shri Ramesh Kumar, IAS, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, congratulated IGNCA on its foundation day and applauded the commendable work on the part of “Utsaah” and the University of Jammu. He asserted that while the government can only provide the infrastructure, it is really the responsibility of the members of the society to contribute in the conservation of the heritage and culture of the region.  In his presidential remarks,Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu applauded the ebullient participation of the students, scholars, faculty members, non-teaching staff, gazetted, non-gazetted employees, and community members. He even provided a sneak peek into his future plan of action in the direction, of proposing a project, “Jammu Kashi Sangam,” which was welcomed by Shri Ramesh Kumar, IAS, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu. During his concluding remarks in the valedictory session, he announced that the festival will become an annual event. It is pertinent to mention here that the programme commenced with the inauguration and visit of a Dogri Village exhibition, “Sada Gran,” which had been put up by the Heritage and Tourism Club.

In his valedictory address, Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director IIM, Jammu, in his speech conveyed his wish for joint ventures with the University of Jammu and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). He invited more engagement from students in the research programmes of the Indian Institute of Management, Jammu. He congratulated the organisers and participants for the success of the programme, adding that “Dogri sanskriti further joins us with Bhartiya sanskriti.” The Guest of Honour of the valedictory session, Prof. Meena Sharma also congratulated Prof. Umesh Rai and the twelve coordinators on the superlative success of the programme. Prof. Lalit Mangotra, President, Nami Dogri Sanstha, who also spoke on the occasion congratulated everyone for the phenomenal success of the event. He claimed that this event would go down as a unique programme in the history of the cultural events held at the University of Jammu. In his interaction, Padamshree Mohan Singh talked about his twelve-year struggle to get the Dogri language included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution in the year 2003. In his message to the young writers of the region, he shared the insight that a true artist is a result of passion. However, he also stressed on the importance of reading and self-assessment. In her formal welcome address, Prof. Satnam Kour, Chairperson, Utsaah, JU acknowledged the initiative and support offered by Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu through the ten-day journey and expressed her gratitude to all the dignitaries who took out their precious time to participate in the function including, Prof. Rajnikant, Dean Research Studies, Prof. Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs, University of Jammu, Prof. Neelu Rohmetra, Director, Directorate of Distance & Online Education,  Prof  Arvind Jasrotia, Registrar, Prof. Prakash Anthal, Dean Students Welfare, Prof. Sucheta Pathania, Dean Faculty of Arts and others. She talked about the ethos of “Utsaah,” and heartily congratulated the twelve coordinators,the roped in resource persons, members of their respective clubs, and the volunteers, whose contribution made the ten-day multi-arts festival possible. She congratulated Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director for coming up with the theme of “Duggar Darpan” for the ten day festival and articulated her concern for the inhibition and stigma surrounding the wholehearted embracing of Dogri language and culture among the youth. Among the key highlights of the day were the Ganesh Vandana by Dr. Shashi Prabha, a drama presentation “AllaGoli Veer Sipahi,” directed by Ms. IfraKak, Drama Instructor, Department of Students Welfare, a mashup of Dogri songs, JaggarnaDogri dance, an interaction with Padamshree Mohan Singh, poetry recitation, a song performance by Ms. Seema Anil Sehgal, a Kathak performance on Dogri songs by Ms. Priya Dutta and the members of the Dance Club, a documentary “SanskritiAwamParampara”on Dogra culture showcasing “MelaPatt” and “DhakuDhikku” dances wherein people across genders can participate, a documentary film “Mubarak Mandi Palace Jammu: A Tale of History & Heritage,” and exhibitions of a “gran,” paintings,and photography capturing the Dogra heritage. The formal vote of thanks for the inaugural sessions was presented  by Ms. Chinmoyee Maharana and for the valedictory session was offered by Dr. Shashi Prabha. The function was ably conducted by Mr. Raj Kumar, IMFA.

Prominent among others Prof Shyam Narayan Lal, Prof. Vishva Raksha, Prof. Suman Jamwal, Prof. Parimal Kumar, Prof. Monika Sethi, Dr. Shashi Prabha, Dr. Sadaf Shah, Dr. Garima Gupta,  Anuradha Kumar, Mr. Yasin Kichloo, Mr. Sandeep Pandita, Director, HDRC, Madhvi Sharma, Mr. Brijesh Jha,  Dr. Suvidha Khanna, Dr. Madhulika Singh, Dr. Pritam Singh, Dr. Chinmoyee Maharana, Sh. Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Priya Datta, and Dr. Ravinder Singh were also present on the occasion.