A delegation comprising senior cultural personality, Artist & Art Promoter Waheed Jeelani and Umar Imtiyaz, a well known actor and film maker Thursday called on Deputy Chief Minister Surender Choudhary and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani at their offices in the Civil Secretariat, Srinagar.
During the meetings, the delegation held detailed discussions on the present challenges confronting the artist, cultural and filmmaking fraternity of Jammu and Kashmir.
The issues included the need for revival and strengthening of cultural institutions, greater opportunities and financial support for artists and filmmakers, regular cultural programming, fair representation of local talent, improved avenues for young artists and revival of institutions such as Doordarshan Kendra Srinagar and All India Radio Srinagar as effective platforms for local cultural expression, said a press release.
The delegation also stressed the need for a clear and sustainable cultural policy, better coordination among concerned departments and greater institutional support for the preservation and promotion of Jammu and Kashmir’s rich traditional, folk and contemporary artistic heritage.
On the instructions of the Deputy Chief Minister and the Advisor, a follow-up meeting was subsequently held with the Principal Secretary, Culture, where the issues were discussed further and the need for concrete measures to address the concerns of the fraternity was emphasised. The delegation expressed hope that the concerns raised would receive due consideration and translate into meaningful initiatives for the welfare, dignity and sustainable growth of the artist and filmmaking community of Jammu and Kashmir.
