Losar Festival celebrated with cultural fervour in Kargil

Kargil, Jan 07, 2023: The Kargil Losar Festival, Traditional New Year Cultural and Literary Festival, was today organized by Ladakh Academy of Culture and Languages (LAACL) at Language Centre New Academy Complex, Kargil with cultural fervour.

Acting Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Kargil Er Phunchok Tashi, who was also the chief guest on the occasion, inaugurated the festival. Executive Councilor Health, LAHDC, Kargil, Mohsin Ali, Chairman Haj Committee Mohd Ali Majaz, Councilor Karsha, Zanskar Stanzin Jigmet and District Social Welfare & Tribal Affair Welfare Officer Kargil, Aga Sayed Jamal were present on the occasion.

Writers, district officers, prominent citizens, cultural and literary artists from different ethnic tribes and enthusiasts took part in the program and remained a major attraction.

EC extended his greetings and wishes to the people of Ladakh on Losar Festival. He expressed optimism the new year will bring peace, prosperity, health, well-being, happiness and joy.

He said 2022 was very good year as compared to the previous years of COVID-19 period in terms of development progress in Kargil and whole Ladakh region.

Tashi expressed happiness over the participation of young writers, historians, poets, and artists of district Kargil in promoting culture and heritage of Kargil. He added that it is encouraging to see them drawing inspiration from intellectuals which is a positive development and need of the hour.

He also applauded the role of LAACL in promoting cultural activities and providing writers and poets continued platform to showcase their creativity and share their literary and cultural endeavours at UT and National Level.

EC Mohsin also extended his heartfelt greetings to the people of Ladakh on Losar and hoped that this year will bring good health and joy.

He said that Kargil has a unique multi-ethnic cultural and linguistic traditions on account of which people across the globe come here to witness and adore this great culture.

Mohin stressed for the revival of culture and heritage and urged the local clubs, organizations and volunteers to come forward and work for the promotion and preservation of art, culture and languages. He added that the officers of LAACL should extend support to such organizations and individuals.

“We should be focused to revive our heritage and culture and the LAACL has a foremost role to play in it. Losar is not just confined to Ladakh only as the regions cultural resonance spreads across Tibet to Baltistan,” he said.

Deputy Secretary, LAACL Kargil, Nazir Hussain said the department’s effort has always remained to promote and revive the heritage and culture of Kargil and the Traditional Kargil Losar Festival is one among such events.

He said LAACL Kargil is going to organize a 15-day traditional music workshop and cultural program during the upcoming Mamani Food Festival.

The paper reading on the Traditional Kargil Losar Festival and its different ways of celebration in different rural areas and tribes especially, on Purgi ethnic tribes, Balti ethnic tribes, Dardi ethnic Tribes were presented by Skarma Junglay, Hadi Balti, Zahid Mukhtar Budgami.

Meanwhile, a colourful traditional cultural dance was showcased during the celebration of Losar Festival by the cultural teams of rural areas including Kukshow, Mulbeck, Shargole, Drachik Aryan Valley and Dard-Sheen presented Balti and Purgi folk songs.

Later, Tsewang Rigzin, Cultural Assistant, LAACL, Kargil extended gratitude to all guests, participating historian/writers and artists for participating in the event despite the severe cold.

Renowned Purgi writer, poet and broadcaster Muhammad Issa Sabiri conducted the program proceedings.