Art & Culture
Way to Bollywood : Himachal gears up for ‘Sangam Sur Sangeet Ka’ 2014
‘The Cedar Films’ set to organize Season-2 of singing contest in 2014 in Himachal. The auditions to begin in April end. Encouraging hidden singers, dancers, actors of Himachal and highlight it on higher platform is motive of the initiative says organizer.
SHIMLA--Recently, four young singers from Himachal had an opportunity of playback singing for a Bollywood movie. Ankush Bhardwaj (Kotgarh), Vanita Thakur (Arki), Poonam Sharma (Shimla) and Sonam Chaudhary (Shimla) returned back to Himachal from Mumbai after recording for “The Slum Stars” and were very enthusiastic about this experience and their future. Perhaps, it’s the first time that Himachal’s young talent could directly jump onto Bollywood playback singing through a local contest. Behind this opportunity lies the initiative by the ‘Cedar Films’ through its talent hunt contest, ‘Sangam Sur Sangeet Ka’.
In 2013, the ‘Cedar Films’ successfully organized the first season of the contest. The organizer held auditions in almost every district, and the final contestants were screened through multiple rounds. Out of total 600 participants from all over the Himachal, five talented singers emerged out as final performers. As capable judges, Kartik Sharma (Voice of Himalaya), Narinder Nittu (Indian Idol Fame and finalist of Awaaj Hindustan Ki), and Sh.Gopal Sharma screened the participants for the finals.
The selected five singers performed at Shimla Gaiety Theater. Four talented singers, the winner and the runner ups, made their way straight to the Bollywood. The winner and first and second runner ups were also awarded with Rs. 1 lac, Rs. 50,000, and Rs.20,000 respectively. There were some gifts like computers and smartphones from the sponsors as well.
However, more than the monetary awards, what mattered was the opportunity of playback singing with well known Bollywood names like Shahid Malya and Tina Ghai as the Co singers and Iqbal Darbar as the music composer and director for ‘The Slum Star’. Under the banner of K.K.Movies & Media International “The slum Stars” is directed by Rajan Lallyapuri.
That was about the last season. The Cedar Films is set to organize Season-2 of ‘Sangam Sur Sangeet Ka’ in 2014. The auditions are likely to begin towards the end of April this year. According to the organizer, the motivation behind the initiative is to bring out the hidden talent of Himachal and highlight it on a higher platform. Further, the ‘Cedar Films’ is looking to do the same for talented actors and dancers as well.
Such a multipurpose platform for the local artists is like a fuel to their talent. Sadly, the state Govt. has miserably failed in encouraging the local artists except some occasional events for the sake of formality to justify the granted funds. Therefore, such events are likely to extend additional opportunities for aspirants in the hill state.
Shimla– This clip of the the Singhtu dance, a captivating and popular folk tradition from Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, was captured at the Seepur Mela held in Mashobra recently.
It is a cherished jewel in the state’s rich and diverse cultural mosaic. This mesmerizing performance, steeped in ancient traditions, enjoys immense popularity, enchanting audiences on both local and international stages. In the Sirmauri dialect, “Singhtu” refers to a lion cub, and in Hindu mythology, the lion is revered as the sacred vehicle of Goddess Durga, lending profound spiritual significance to the dance.
Performed exclusively twice a year during Diwali and Ekadashi, the Singhtu dance is a ritualistic offering at temples and sacred sites, where it has been presented since time immemorial.
Performers don intricately crafted masks depicting animals such as lions, bears, leopards, and mythical forest beings, which are brought out from temples only for these occasions.
These masks, combined with the dancers’ rhythmic movements, vividly evoke Sirmaur’s ancient culture, transporting spectators to a bygone era while celebrating the region’s deep connection to nature.
Himachal Pradesh is a vibrant tapestry of unique traditions, with each district showcasing distinct folk dances, music, and rituals that reflect the state’s multifaceted heritage.
The Singhtu dance, blending spirituality, artistry, and environmental consciousness, stands as a powerful testament to this diversity. Beyond its aesthetic allure, it conveys a timely message of wildlife conservation and environmental preservation, resonating with global concerns.
Art & Culture
Use Offerings Made at Himachal’s Hindu Religious Institutions Only For Hindus, Employ Only Hindus: HP Govt
Shimla-The Additional Chief Secretary of the Himachal Pradesh Language, Art & Culture Department has issued a notification barring the use of offerings made at the Hindu religious places or institutions for non-Hindu Communities.
Directions in this regard have been issued to Commissioners (temple) under Section 27 of the Himachal Pradesh Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments Act, 1984.
“All the receipts or offerings including gold and silver of the Hindu Public Religious Institutions and Charitable Endowments shall be used only for the purposes pertaining to the welfare and other activities relating to only Hindus. No receipts or offerings shall be used for the purposes associated with activities relating to Non-Hindus,” the notification said.
Further, now, no non-Hindu person would be given any sort of employment at the Hindu religious institutions/places.
“All the officers and officials including the personnel related to security etc. whether appointed or deputed or taken on outsourcing basis shall be out of the persons professing the Hindu religion only,” the notification said.
No further clarification was provided regarding the intended purpose of this move.
Art & Culture
Kullu Dussehra 2021: All Religious Ceremonies to be Allowed, But No Commercial and Cultural Events
Shimla-The International Kullu Dussehra would be organised from 15th October to 21st October, 2021, the Himachal Pradesh Government informed today after holding a meeting regarding the same.
The HP Government has decided that all deities would be invited for the Dussehra festival. Orgnaization of all religious ceremonies would be allowed traditionally, but the cultural and commercial activities would not be held.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur presided over meeting of State Level Kullu Dussehra Committee. Directions were given to ensure proper security system, uninterrupted electricity supply and adherence of Covid-19 guidelines.
It was also decided in the meeting that Language, Art and Culture Department would provide an additional amount of Rs. 10 lakh to district administration Kullu for organising Kullu Dussehra festival.
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