This initiative will play an important role in preserving the rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir.
Jagran correspondent, Jammu. Taking an important initiative towards preserving the rich and colorful cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages has started the Guru-Shishya Parampara Yojana.
The objective of this scheme is to preserve, revive and transfer to the next generation those rare and endangered folk and traditional art forms of the state, which are gradually becoming extinct due to the ravages of time and modernity.
This scheme is based on the ancient Guru-Shishya tradition of India. In which experienced and accomplished artists impart their knowledge, skills and experience to young disciples through systematic training. Under this, each selected Guru will have to train five to eight disciples in a particular art form, so that the originality and purity of the art is maintained.
Arrangement of monthly honorarium also
To make the training process continuous and effective, a monthly honorarium has also been provided under the scheme. Every month the Guru will be given Rs 10,000, the accompanist or assistant will be given Rs 7,500 and each disciple will be given Rs 5,000. The period of training has been fixed at one year. Which can be extended for one more year based on review of progress and performance.
People associated with the art world are very excited about this scheme. He says that such a plan should have been made long ago. Today folk art has to face many challenges. But such efforts will definitely be beneficial.
Total 200 applications received
Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Language, Harvinder Kaur said that a total of 200 applications were received. Which includes 63 applications from Kashmir and 137 from Jammu. After thorough investigation and evaluation, the committee of experts has identified three such folk art forms which are on the verge of extinction. For the preservation and revival of these genres, eminent artists were selected as gurus.
Salochna Devi has been chosen as the guru for Ghuriya folk dance of Paddar, Kishtwar, Dev Raj for Massadeya folk tradition of Bani region and Abdul Rashid Mir has been chosen as the guru for Dastan folk tradition (Dastan-e-Goi) of Kashmir. These experienced artists will now ensure the authenticity and continuity of these folk arts by providing structured training to the younger generation.
Crisis due to migration and modern influences
Massadeya is a vibrant tradition of Dogri folk art, which presents local legends, folklore and social messages through story-telling, music and dance. Dastan-e-Goi is a classical oral narrative tradition. Which has its roots in Persian literature and which flourished in the Indian subcontinent during the Mughal period. Its hallmark is the elaborate plot and dramatic presentation.
Ghuriya is a women-dominated folk dance of the Paddar region. Which includes flute, bullying and question-answer style songs. This dance is a celebration of community life and also a means of preserving the Paddri dialect, which is in danger today due to migration and modern influences.
Senior Drama Director, Litterateur Padmashree Mohan Singh said that through the Guru-Shishya Parampara Scheme, the Academy has not only reiterated its commitment towards the preservation of the intangible cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, but has also ensured that these rare and valuable folk arts survive for generations to come and strengthen the cultural identity.
A lot of work still needs to be done in this direction. In many other folk dance and music styles are also endangered. There is a need to work on them also. Regular workshops should also be organized in schools and colleges.