Uttarakhand News: A very dignified cultural program was organized at Social Baluni School located on Haridwar Bypass, Dehradun. On this occasion, the famous Chief Minister of Uttarakhand Pushkar Singh Dhami participated as the chief guest. This special event was organized in the name of 'Narendra Singh Negi Culture Samman Samaroh' to commemorate the birthday of the great folk singer of the state, Narendra Singh Negi. A large number of litterateurs, artists and culture lovers from across the state gathered in this program. From the stage, the Chief Minister congratulated Narendra Singh Negi on his birthday and wished him good health and long life. He described Negi ji as the biggest flag bearer of the cultural identity of Uttarakhand.
Negi ji's works released in English
During the function, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami grandly released a historical book “Mountain Melodies of Narendra Singh Negi”. This book is based on the English translation of Narendra Singh Negi's timeless folk songs. The Chief Minister said that this book will prove to be a big step towards establishing the folk language and folk culture of Uttarakhand on the global stage. With this, the coming new generation and international readers will be able to better understand the depth of Negi ji's musical journey lasting five decades, his thoughts and the life of Uttarakhand. Negi ji's songs give a true depiction of the pain of the mountains, nature, social concerns and struggles of life.
Tai Tugung received Narendra Singh Negi Culture Award 2026
The main attraction of the function was the distribution of 'Narendra Singh Negi Culture Award 2026'. This year this prestigious award was given to renowned actor, theater artist and playwright Tai Tugung of Arunachal Pradesh. While honoring Tai Tugung, the Chief Minister said that he has given a new identity to the folk culture of North-East India in the country and the world through Nyishi language, Arunachali Hindi, theater and films. Tai Tugung's famous play 'Lapya' and his famous film 'Sangi Mai' have been appreciated all over the world. This film has also been screened at global platforms like Cannes Film Festival. This honor further strengthens the cultural ties between the Himalayan states.
Big decisions for artists and litterateurs
In his address, Chief Minister Dhami mentioned in detail the rich folk culture and traditions of Uttarakhand. He said that traditional songs like Jaagar, Beda, Mangal, Khuded and Chhopaati are our real identity. Traditional musical instruments like Dhol, Damau, Hudka, Mashak and Bhankora are present in the soul of the state. The state government is continuously working for the preservation of all these folk arts. The process of listing has been made very easy with the aim of financially strengthening the artists. Till now, 275 cultural groups and 226 solo artistes have been registered by the government, providing them continuous employment and platform.
Huge increase in pension and assistance amount
The Chief Minister announced that the monthly assistance amount for elderly and economically weak artists and litterateurs has been doubled. While earlier artists used to get Rs 3,000 per month, now it has been increased to Rs 6,000 per month. At present 180 artists are taking direct benefit of this scheme. Apart from this, to save the traditional instrument Dhol Damau, eligible artists are being given free musical instruments and traditional costumes every year. To connect the new generation with its roots, six-month special training workshops are also being organized under the Guru Shishya tradition.
Uttarakhand will become a national center of literature and culture
The aim of the state government is to make Uttarakhand a big cultural and literary center of the country instead of limiting it to just a tourist state. For this, two well-equipped 'Literary Villages' are being developed in the state. Accommodation arrangements, study centres, libraries and seminar buildings will be built for writers and researchers in these literary villages. The construction of Himalayan Cultural Centre, Art Gallery and Museum in Dehradun is part of this far-reaching thinking. Apart from this, an award amount of Rs 5 lakh is being given under 'Long Term Sahitya Sevi Samman', started from the year 2025, and Rs 5 lakh 51 thousand is being given under 'Sahitya Bhushan Award'. Till now, 102 writers have been given financial assistance for publishing books.
Conservation and resolution of cultural heritage
Concluding his speech, the Chief Minister said that the state government is following the basic mantra of 'resolution without options' to save its rich cultural heritage and folk traditions. He expressed confidence that this great heritage of Uttarakhand will become more enriched with the joint efforts of the intelligentsia, artists and litterateurs of the society. The coming generations will be able to be proud of their roots and carry forward their dialects and art. This program has added a new enthusiasm to the cultural scenario of the state and has boosted the morale of the artists manifold.
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