Chairman of the Kullu Dasehra Festival Committee and Transport Minister Govind Singh Thakur today said the Governor would inaugurate the week-long festival which would commence on October 19.
Addressing mediapersons here, he said the Chief Minister would be the chief guest during the closing ceremony on October 25.
He said this year, the cultural presentation at Lal Chand Prarthi Kala Kendra would start at 4 pm daily and local artistes would be given good opportunity.
Puran Shiva, Chand Afzal Qadri, Jassi Gill, Sanchita Bhattacharya, Mannat Noor, Rajiv Thapa and Kailash Kher would entertain the audience. International troupes from Indonesia, Czech Republic, Nepal and Russia would also enthrall the audience. He added people from various states would also participate in cultural evenings.
The minister said each cultural evening would be based on a particular theme. The theme for the first day would be to honour martyrs, theme for the second day would be on Swachhta and for third day against drug abuse.
He said a painting competition would be held on the fourth day and this would be based on local culture and traditions. Govind said the theme for the 5th day would be women empowerment and senior citizens would be honoured on the 6th day.
The chairman said a mega Nati, ‘Pride of Kullu’, would be organised on October 23 where women would participate. Sports competitions would also be held. Proper arrangements had been made for the stay of deities. He added that from the next year, troupes from friendly countries would also be invited to perform at the Kala Kendra during Dasehra.