Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: North Zone Culture Centre (NZCC) Patiala in its new initiative to revive the art and culture activities under its patronage has announced Jammu Natya Utsav and Kashmir Natya Utsav, both for Jammu and Kashmir State.
Giving details of the festival, Saubhagya Vardhan , NZCC Director said that not only theatre , but all other art forms of the State will be taken up holistically by the Centre for which a calendar of activities will be released soon.
Addressing a gathering of theatre directors and actors at Hari Niwas , Saubhagya Vardhan said that after taking over as the director NZCC, he will leave no stone unturned to reach out to the last man standing in the field and will see that all art forms would be covered through festivals, folk , music , dance and allied art
“I am open to all suggestions and initiatives from length and breadth of the State and people who want to participate in the activities of NZCC will be given due platform as per the nature and conduct of their art activities,” said Saubhagya Vardhan .
The Director said that since NZCC is taking up all possible steps to revive the art and culture activities in five states falling under NZCC, Jammu and Kashmir is on the priority list for its diverse cultural and heritage significance.
He invited suggestions from the theatre directors for conducting ‘Natya Utsavs’ in both the provinces of Jammu and Kashmir and asked them to decide dates and venue for conducting of the festival.
Sudhir Mahajan, coordinator of the projects seeking directors’ consent on the issue said that since Theatre Olympiad is in session for March expressed non-availability of the Abhinav Hall becoming impediment for Natya Utsav.
Senior theatre Director, Neha Lahotra proposed for Women College Gandhi Nagar as alternative for Natya Utsav which was unanimously accepted by theatre directors present in the meeting.
Saubhagya Vardhan said that NZCC will be approaching with open mind and vision and said that artists of the State will be enriched with art and culture activities from the centre throughout the year. He also asked Sudhir to prepare calendar of activities. Representatives from Shivani Cultural Society, Rangshala Theatre Society, Yamini Culture Society, Natraj Natya Kunj , Pancham Society , Nav Durga Kala Manch, Natraj Natya Kunj attended the meet.