Srinagar, Nov 7: As part of ongoing Azadi Ka Amrit Mohatsav (AKAM), the Department of Culture, through J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages (JKAACL) in collaboration with Directorate of School Education Kashmir, conducted a series of singing, dancing and visual art (painting/drawing) competitions across the Kashmir Division.
JKAACL, under the guidance of it’s Commissioner Secretary, Zubair Ahmad, has successfully culminated the divisional level grand finale of the AKAM competition at Government Girls H S S Kothi Bagh here.
Chronologically, the competitions were held at school, zonal and district levels before finally pinnacling at the divisional level. The key thematic areas for the competition were Patriotism, Cleanliness, Plantation, Peace, Truth & Nonviolence and Indian Culture.
From Anantnag district, Mehrun-Nisa of M.S. Halkha, Shangus won the singing competition, Zaid Imtiyaz of Oxford H.S. Bijbehara won the dance competition and Sabora Jan of Oxford H.S. Bijbehara won the painting competition.
From Bandipora district, Uzmat Zahoor of Ambition Public School Gulshanpora, Markundal, won the singing competition, Tabish Manzoor of Ms Sheikh Colony won the dance competition, and Shahid Nazir of G.M.S. Wanpora won the painting competition.
From Baramulla district, Mohammad Murtazah Lone of G.M.S. Lachipora won the singing competition, Harmanjot Singh of Budding Bloom School won the dance competition and Mohd Rayan of Saint Josephs School won the painting competition.
From Budgam district, Danish Maqbool of M.S. Nijloo won the singing competition, Toiba Zainab of P.S. Jamia Mohalla won the dance competition, and Mohsin Majeed of G.M.S. Babapora won the painting competition.
From Ganderbal district, Zainab Mushtaq of Royal Public School Badampora won the singing competition, Aijaz Ahmad of High School Surfraw won the dance competition, and Raqib Ahmad of M.S. Rangil won the painting competition.
From Kulgam district, Mohammad Aleem Reshi of M.S. Kharote won the singing competition, Hidana Farooq of M.S. Mutalhama won the dance competition, and Wasif Rashid of M.S. Kharote won the painting competition.
From Kupwara district, Shifayat from U.P.S. Wapora won the singing competition, Mehvish Imtiyaz of U.P.S. Check Keegam won the dance competition, and Muzamil Maqbool Lone of P.S. Lone Mohalla, Kunnel, won the painting competition.
From Pulwama district, Tanzeela Fayaz of B.M.S. Wanpora won the singing competition, Atifa Amin of G.U.P.S. Chotipora won the dance competition, and Arsalan Ashaq of B.M.S. Wanpora won the painting competition.
From Shopian district, Adeel Khanday of Oxford Educational Institution won the singing competition, Atifa Amin of G.U.P.S. Chotipora won the dance competition, and Toiba Imtiyaz of G.P.S. Gulab Taing won the painting competition.
From Srinagar district, Sahil of B.P.S. Rawalpora won the singing competition, Tabasum Muskan Tariq of G.M.S. New Chinar Colony won the dance competition, and Momina Zainab of P.S. Nawabagh won the painting competition.
All the district level winners from their respective categories competed at the divisional level for the “winner” and the “runner-up” positions in the grand finale of the competition at Government Girls H.S.S. Kothi Bagh in Srinagar.
In the singing category, Zainab Mushtaq from Royal Public School Badampora, Ganderbal, stood as a winner, and Uzmat Zahoor of Ambition Public School Gulshanpora, Bandipora, was declared the runner-up.
In the dance category, Zaid Imtiyaz of Oxford H.S. Bijbehara, Anantnag, stood as the winner, and Harmanjot Singh of Budding Bloom School, Baramulla, was declared the runner-up.
In the painting category, Sabora Jan from Oxford H.S. Bijbehara, Anantnag, stood as the winner, and Mohammad Rayan of St. Josephs School, Baramulla, was declared the runner-up.
At the grand finale, the jury for the singing competition included Qaiser Nizami, Rehmatullah Khan, and Faroq Ahmad Wani; for the dance competition, the jury comprised of Nabi Bulbul, Gulzar Ahmad Ganaie, and Tariq Javid; and Nowshad Gayoor and Arshad Salah for the painting competition.
Three winners at the divisional-level grand finale shall receive a cash prize of Rs. 20,000/- each, and three runner-ups shall get a cash prize of Rs. 10,000/- each. Likewise, from district level competition, in every district, nine winners shall receive a cash prize of Rs. 5000/- each, while nine first-runner-ups shall get a cash prize of Rs. 3000/- each, and nine second-runner-ups shall receive a cash prize of Rs. 1000/- each.
During the concluding ceremony, Nusrat Bukhari, Principal H.S.S. School Kothibagh, was the Chief Guest.
Farooq Anwar Mirza, Incharge Divisional Office AACL Kashmir, addressed the audience.
J&K AACL’s and Department of Culture’s efforts in promoting young talent via such competitions are receiving appreciation from the art and culture connoisseurs of Kashmir region.
