Culture Call

Harjinder Kaur takes over as Chairperson of Punjab Arts Council

8220;Not only a serious promotion of art and culture, the agenda of the team of the Punjab Arts Council is to bring about social change,8217; Harjinder Kaur, who has taken over charge as Chairperson of Punjab Arts Council, is excited about her new role and is raring to go. Kaur has served as President of Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi between 1999 and 2002. Despite the financial crunch and ongoing crisis, added Kaur, the effort would be to seek support from the Punjab Government for promotion and revival of Punjab8217;s heritage and culture and on a priority basis release of grant to strengthen and spread cultural activities to rural areas. Besides government grants, said Kaur, efforts will be made to mobilize resources through corporate bodies and from NRIs. 8220;This is Dr Randhawa8217;s dream place and with the support of all renowned artists, we hope to revive our dying folk forms, music, dance and theatre and take Punjab8217;s rich culture all over the country and abroad. A lot needs to be done and will be,8221; Kaur emphasised that she will implement all programmes finalized by the Punjab Arts Council and its three Akademies, Punjab Sahit Akademi, Punjab Lalit Kala Akademi and Punjab Sangeet Natak Akademi. To promote and preserve Punjabi culture, the Punjab Arts Council and its three akademies will be activated to work in complete coordination with district heritage societies. As per decision of the Punjab government virsa Vihar Kenderas set up at Amritsar, Jalandhar and Kapurthala will function under the supervision of Punjab Arts Council. Also on the cards are international music, dance festivals and visual arts festivals!