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Srinagar, July 24 (UNI) The first ever three-day folk festival organised by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in collaboration with the Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi began here today.

Announcing that Jammu and Kashmir government will provide Rs 1.50 crore for establishment of new infrastructure for the academy, Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig declared the festival open at Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Complex.

Six latest publications of Kashmiri, Urdu, Gojri and Pahari published by the academy were released by the Deputy Chief Minister on the occasion.

Earlier, welcoming the guests, Dr Rafeeq Masoodi, Secretary Academy said the ''Bhand Pather'' is the most accomplished folk performing art form of Kashmir. During last few year, it received a setback due to various factors and it started declining.

To arrest this decline, the academy stepped in with a scheme to provide subsidy to Bhand Theatre. Thus, the dying tradition was revived and today there are more than 32 theatre groups, which are committed to the uplift and development of this most cherished folk, Dr Masoodi added.

A research paper on Folk Theatre of Kashmir was presented by renowned scholar of the state Mohammad Yusuf Teing in which he described the history of folklore of Kashmir and its present scenario.

The Deputy Chief Minister in his speech described Bhand Pather as an authentic tradition of Kashmir which has proved its self very effectively even in the odd times and can be judged as more powerful and comprehensive medium of communication then that of English theatre.

He added that this is the living example of Kashmiriat which has its roots in thousands of year.

He was of the view that under the dynamic leadership of Dr Rafeeq Masoodi, the Academy has taken a new turn and its performance has improved.

The Deputy Chief Minister announced on behalf of Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, who is also president of Cultural academy, that the government will provide Rs 1.50 crore for establishment of new infrastructure for the academy including renovation of Tagore Hall.

The government will transfer the building of State Board of School Education to the Academy and also handover the Kala Kendera Jammu to Academy. On the occasion of Golden Jubilee celebration of the academy, which starts from August 2007, the government will honour all the prominent writers of different languages of the state.

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