Work Undertaken for Promotion of Arts & Cultural Heritage of Uttarakhand
by REACH
Some Initiatives at a Glance:
Virāsat - in itself an endeavor to widen markets for rural products in urban centers. The festival, now Asia’s biggest folklife & heritage festival, generates craft sales of more than Rs. 1.5 Crore, the money going directly to artisans. No stall rent from artisans or entry fee from the public is charged. It generates 8,00,000 footfalls over 15 days more than 50,000 school children visit us and come to know about Uttarakhand & Indian culture. It generates media coverage of more than Rs. 4 Crores (Source: India Media Monitor, New Delhi), promoting Uttarakhand as a tourism and cultural destination.
The Department of Tourism, Government of India, has included it in its national calendar of events and is promoted through the Incredible India Campaign. Several countries like USA, Kenya, UK, Turkmenistan, Indonesia actively collaborate.
We ensure that 50% of the programmes performed are based on Uttarakhand’s culture. Many folk and theatre artistes from the hills have had their first stage appearance during the festival. They come from as far as Bampa, Chinka, Ghansali, Niti-Mana etc.
* Virāsat, the festival, confers Virasat Samman on tradition bearers from Uttarakhand every year. These people are unsung heroes who receive financial support as well as a citation. The awardees include:
1. Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani – Tree Man, Environmentalist
2. Jataru Lal – Dhol Damau exponent
3. Ganga Ram – Wood Carving Artisan
4. Narendra Singh Negi – Noted Singer
5. Joshia Damayi – Folk Theatre Tradition Bearer
6. Kabootri Devi – Kumaoni Folk Singer
7. Bachan Deyi – Beda Folk Tradition Exponent
*Ambedhkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana - Self Help Groups of more than 1600 artisan families in the remote Himalayas are improving their livelihoods through design and marketing support for hand crafted goods.
We are working in the Pipalkoti Region – Districts Chamoli, Uttarkashi & Nandprayag for Ringal Craft, as well as Hanol Region – Jaunsar Bavar for Wood Carving craft. We have undertaken several Design Development Workshops and Marketing Initiatives and are now in the process of setting up a Facilitation Center at Dehra Dun for further training and marketing.
We ensure that 50% of the programmes performed are based on Uttarakhand’s culture. Many folk and theatre artistes from the hills have had their first stage appearance during the festival. They come from as far as Bampa, Chinka, Ghansali, Niti-Mana etc.
* Virāsat, the festival, confers Virasat Samman on tradition bearers from Uttarakhand every year. These people are unsung heroes who receive financial support as well as a citation. The awardees include:
1. Vishweshwar Dutt Saklani – Tree Man, Environmentalist
2. Jataru Lal – Dhol Damau exponent
3. Ganga Ram – Wood Carving Artisan
4. Narendra Singh Negi – Noted Singer
5. Joshia Damayi – Folk Theatre Tradition Bearer
6. Kabootri Devi – Kumaoni Folk Singer
7. Bachan Deyi – Beda Folk Tradition Exponent
*Ambedhkar Hastshilp Vikas Yojana - Self Help Groups of more than 1600 artisan families in the remote Himalayas are improving their livelihoods through design and marketing support for hand crafted goods.
We are working in the Pipalkoti Region – Districts Chamoli, Uttarkashi & Nandprayag for Ringal Craft, as well as Hanol Region – Jaunsar Bavar for Wood Carving craft. We have undertaken several Design Development Workshops and Marketing Initiatives and are now in the process of setting up a Facilitation Center at Dehra Dun for further training and marketing.
(Artisans from Pipalkoti are trained in Ringal Craft)
