The Dogri Folk Festival wrapped up today at Abhinav Theatre, and Jammu’s buzzing with pride. Over three days, 6,000 people soaked in the beats of Kud dances and Karkan ballads, celebrating the region’s soul. Organized by the J&K Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages, it’s a love letter to Dogri traditions, spoken by 2.6 million. “This is us, our story, our strength,” said performer Meera Kumari from Samba, her village still mending from floods but alive with music.
The fest featured 300 vendors serving kalari and rajma-chawal, giving a boost to artisans hit by a tourism dip. Workshops taught kids to make sarod flutes and recite Dogri poems, with 800 students joining in, many from flood-hit schools in Reasi. Director Bharat Singh Manhas pushed for unity, offering free entry to displaced families. Livestreams hit 15,000 viewers globally, spreading Dogri vibes far. Rural folks, making up 70% of the crowd, shared tales of survival, tying them to songs of warriors and harvests.
Food stalls were a hit—Ranbir Singh Pura’s vendors sold out sweets, earning ₹2 lakh over the event. The fest’s ₹5 lakh budget, partly crowdfunded, showed community spirit. Posts on X called it “Jammu’s heartbeat,” with clips of Phummaniyan dances going viral. Plans for pop-up events in Udhampur signal more to come. For families like the Sharmas from Akhnoor, it’s a break from hardship: “The floods took a lot, but not our songs.” This isn’t just a party—it’s Jammu standing tall, proving culture heals.