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Munish Sood
Mandi

Often referred to as “Chhoti Kashi” and celebrated as the cultural heart of Himachal Pradesh, Mandi recently echoed with its vibrant artistic heritage as key cultural organizations gathered to discuss the waning involvement of youth in folk arts, theatre, and music.

A seminar titled “Changing Era of Folk Culture, Theatre and Cinema: Declining Youth Interest and New Expectations” took place at Tapas Academy, led by esteemed artist Roop Upadhyay. Representatives from 11 notable cultural organizations, including Mandavya Kala Manch, Navjyoti Sports and Cultural Art Forum, Saakh Society, Himachal Pradesh Cultural Research Institute, Utsav, Aakar Theatre Society, Shiv Gauri Kala Manch, Sabrang Kala Manch, and Prayas Kala Parishad, engaged in meaningful discussions.

Concerns were raised regarding the decreasing enthusiasm of young people for traditional art forms like folk music, drama, and live performances. Despite Mandi's rich cultural roots linked to temple traditions and performing arts, modern distractions and insufficient institutional backing were identified as significant hurdles undermining the local cultural landscape.

A major point of discussion was the lack of a dedicated central venue for rehearsals and performances, which participants noted has resulted in a stagnation of cultural initiatives. The forum collectively agreed to establish a unified cultural platform to amplify artists’ voices and provide enhanced social, economic, and emotional support.

Additionally, plans were made to host joint cultural festivals and theatre events aimed at rekindling public interest and fostering collaboration among various institutions. The forum also voiced concerns about external entities allegedly taking advantage of Himachal’s folk identity while neglecting local artists, advocating for a united front against such practices.