Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 7: All India Radio, Jammu organised ‘Ethnic Festival’ for the nomadic Gujjars at Mahi Chak in Kathua. Various programmes were presented during three-hour fest.
Presenting his research paper a young Gujjar scholar Dr Javed Rahi described Gujjars as important tribe of the north-western India. He said in the Indian subcontinent, they are spread over twelve states of India and are found in all the four provinces of Pakistan. Besides, their habitats are found in Afghanistan and Iran also.
Dr Rahi said that Gujjars have a strong cultural identity. They have their own culture, custom, traditions folk-lore, ethnicity and five thousand year history at their back. The greater Gujarat which was called “Gujjar Ratha” (the kingdom of Gujjars) in history was ruled by Gujjars from fifth century to 11th century AD.
The great Gurjar-Pratihara rulers in north-western states of India during 6th to 11th centuary AD had built a number of buildings, forts, sculptures, temples, and other monuments of art. He said that Gujjars are the semi-nomads found in Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. They are more concentrated in Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and they are found in all the districts.
The programme was organised in open air were audience was thrilled by the presence of prominent poets as well as singers for the first time in their area. The event started at 11 am with the welcome address by the Programme Head of All India Radio Jammu, Renu Raina who briefly stated the motive behind such programmes.
Kalsoom Akhter, resource person described the rituals, customs especially the about ornaments and dresses of the community. Their colorful dress, silver ornaments, living style and food habits are also distinct. She said that Radio is the only mass media that reaches every household for awareness among masses.
Later, the folk music concert started and the audience were all hooked up to their seats and the artists who enthralled the crowd with their melodious music and compositions included, Bashir Mastana ,Muzamal Shah, Anisa Karim & Shadia Parveen with their famous folk songs. The officials of the civil administration, prominent citizens and people from all walks of life attended the event and appreciated this unique and noble venture of All India Radio Jammu. Rajesh Gupta and Sanjeev Sharma, Programme Executives AIR, Jammu co-ordinated the entire programme.
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