Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 10: The 3-day festival of performing arts, the winter youth festival ‘Jashn-e-Sheen,’ was inaugurated today at Tagore Hall.
The festival has been organized by Actors’ Creative Theatre in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages and is supported by J&K Bank Ltd.
The festival’s theme is showcasing the incredible talent of young and upcoming artists from the Valley.
In today’s performance, the audience witnessed mesmerizing performances of Kashmiri Folk Dance, Gojri Folk Dance, and enchanting Kashmiri traditional music.
“Newcomers in the field of music presented songs in Kashmiri and Punjabi,” the organizers said.
The Hindi songs of Bollywood music performed by these newcomers added an extra touch of excitement to the event. Specially challenged kids also performed, greatly liked by the audience.
The most popular and appreciated performance was by the twin sisters Zaiba & Zainab-the sensational kids on Instagram and YouTube.
The festival was dedicated to Farooq Nazki, who died recently after prolonged illness.
Before starting the program formally, heartfelt tribute were paid to the departed poet, visionary, and former Director of Doordarshan and All India Radio.
The chief guest for the opening ceremony was Zafar Iqbal Manhas, the former Secretary of J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages and former MLC.
The Guests of honor were Rauf Ahmad Punjabi, the former President of Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and a leading businessman of the Valley, Basheer Aarif, former director of All India Radio, Tariq Javaid, the renowned Artist, Waheed Jeelani, the heart throb singer of Kashmir, and Gulzar Bhat, the Chairman of All J&K Folk Artists Association.
This festival is a celebration of art, culture, and the vibrant talent of the Valley, organizers said.