Himachal has always been famous for its traditional vibrancy. Its Conventional arts, culture and crafts are an asset to boast.

The area sprawled across has its own distinct cultural and traditional identities, and are displayed through various forms of art that are prevalent there.

Every place in Himachal has its own style and pattern of culture. The folk and tribal culture of the state are very ethnic and simple, and yet colourful and vibrant enough to speak volumes about the state’s rich heritage.

Tribal art, like folk art, has also progressed considerably due to the constant developmental efforts of the Indian government and other organizations.

Tribal art generally reflects the creative energy found in rural areas that acts as an undercurrent to the craftsmanship of the tribal people. Tribal art ranges through a wide range of art forms, such as wall paintings, tribal dances, tribal music, and so on.

One such organisation is Youth Development Centre, an NGO of Sansarpur Terrace in Kangra district, which has launched a special drive to generate awareness, especially among youngsters, for preservation and development of diminishing traditional folk art and Himalayan culture and cultural heritage.

Recently, the centre had organized seven virtual stage shows-cum-folk cultural events were organized in Chamba and Kangra districts under the direction of HP Language, Art and Culture Department.

The NGO, affiliated with the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, is currently working under the centrally sponsored scheme of ‘Preservation of Cultural Heritage of Himalayans’.

The objective of the scheme is to promote, protect and preserve the cultural heritage of the Himalayan region spread across Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Underlining the need to preserve diminishing traditional folk arts and folk cultural heritage, Karan Bhushan, director of the Centre, said “Our old generation should take the responsibility to pass on the importance of our rich cultural heritage and folk art to the coming generation”.

“During the Covid-19 pandemic period, the centre is organising virtual folk cultural events with an objective of publicizing and promoting Himachal Pradesh’s rich cultural heritage and folk arts. The local folk artists are also getting a platform to exhibit their talent,” he added.