The first ever Jammu Kashmir Festival was held in London from 21st Oct to 26th Oct. The festival curated and conceptualised by a leading Kashmir Pandit campaigner, Lakshmi Kaul is a unique way to celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the state and showcase the pluralistic, varied cultural mix of its heritage to the British population.
The Jammu Kashmir Festival is being presented in association with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), The Nehru Centre, Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism & Culture), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), The Montcalm Luxury Hotels, Air India, Zee, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and Here & Now 365.
The festival was inaugurated by Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East, Commissioner Secretary, J&K state government, Naveen Choudhary, Vice Chairman, Confederation of Indian Industry, J&K and Padmashree recipient, Regional Director, ICCR J&K and also the Director of Natrang Music and Dance repertory that enthralled Londoners by their energetic folk dance performances throughout the festival including at Mayor of London’s Diwali on Trafalgar Square, Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan and The Nehru Centre. The festival, spanning over a week saw many dignitaries and guests from India including the grandson of Maharaja Hari Singh and Member of Legislative Council, state government of J&K, Maharaj Kumar Ajatshatru Singh, Kashmiri Pandit activist and media man, Mr. Sushil Pandit, Chairman of Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Mr. Sheikh Imran and a few local businesses and members of CII.
The dance performances mesmerised the audience with the myriad colours, traditional costumes, props and the beautiful music that completed the journey into the folk traditions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. Congratulating the festival team, Bob Blackman MP spoke of how during his recent visits to India especially his maiden visit to J&K, the need for highlighting the potential of the state was felt. He said, “the effort is most welcome by the people of J&K as it is a great way of changing the perception of the state in the world and showing them what the state really is.”
Lauding the effort, Tourism & Culture Minister, J&K said: “I would like to congratulate the Jammu & Kashmir Festival team for bringing together the diverse communities from across the state in an effort to showcase the great potential, cultural richness and diversity of the state.”
Lalit Sharma, Director of Jammu Kashmir Festival speaking of the richness of the state said, “The festival will be an opportunity especially to showcase areas within the state that are safe for people to visit and explore. This will encourage tourists and visitors to consider J&K as their next holiday destination.”
In addition to the dance programmes, there an exhibition of artefacts and handicrafts along with a visual display of the history, heritage and arts from the state at the Festival that saw hundreds of visitors.
As part of the week-long programme, there was a business roundtable at the Houses of Parliament hosted by Confederation of Indian Industry and chaired by Bob Blackman MP. The meeting saw the participation of businesses from J&K as well as London exploring future potential and growth opportunities. The conclusion of the Festival was on 26th October which is the anniversary of the signing of the instrument of accession by Maharaja Hari Singh acceding J&K to India. The date is being marked by community organisations as the Jammu Kashmir Day and the request for its official recognition is being sent to the Government of India.
The Festival is the brainchild of a Kashmiri Pandit activist from London, Lakshmi Kaul said: “Jammu Kashmir Festival has proven that there are more reasons to celebrate life, unity, diversity than give up and feel dejected. To change perception outside, the perception within must be changed. The lost pride of our roots has been rekindled. The tide has begun to turn, the perception has begun changing.”
