Wednesday, 13 March 2024 | PNS | DEHRADUN
The Culture department commenced auditions to select folk artistes from the State on Tuesday at the Himalayan Cultural Centre (HCC). The auditions will continue till March 15 in Dehradun. Informing about the auditions, Culture department director Beena Bhatt informed that the auditions are aimed at selecting talented folk artistes from across the State and provide them with a platform to showcase their skills. The auditions are held every four to five months to encourage new talent to come forward and represent the rich culture of the State, she added.
Regarding the process of auditions, Bhatt informed that about 300 applicants have submitted their applications for the State folk artiste position this year. An independent committee has been formed to select eligible artistes, which includes one official from Akashvani (AIR) and two lecturers with knowledge of folk culture, she said. Bhatt added that the independent committee will select individuals and groups from 300 applicants based on their talent and experience.
Responding to allegations that the department is conducting the auditions in a secretive and unfair manner, Bhatt stated that the Culture department never conducts secret auditions and that applicants can submit their applications at any time for the auditions. Further, the independent committee selects the artists, and no official from the department interferes in the auditions. She said that folk artistes are not paid a fixed salary. Instead, they are paid based on the events they perform at.
It is pertinent to mention here that last year in June, the department organised an audition in which 16 folk singers were selected.
