Dehradun, August 13, 2026: Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attended the Narendra Singh Negi Culture Award Ceremony at Social Baluni School on the Haridwar Bypass in Dehradun to mark the birthday of Uttarakhand’s celebrated folk singer Narendra Singh Negi.
During the programme, Dhami released “Mountain Melodies of Narendra Singh Negi,” a book featuring English translations of Negi’s songs. He also presented the Narendra Singh Negi Culture Award 2026 to well-known Arunachal Pradesh actor, theatre personality and playwright Tai Tugung.
The Chief Minister extended birthday greetings to Narendra Singh Negi and wished him good health and a long life. He described Negi as one of the leading figures of Uttarakhand’s folk culture, whose music has taken the state’s cultural identity to audiences across India and abroad.
Dhami said Negi’s songs reflect the everyday lives of the people of Uttarakhand, the region’s natural beauty, social concerns, struggles and emotions. He added that his music has preserved the voice of the hills while giving Uttarakhand’s folk traditions a distinctive place on the national and international cultural map.
Congratulating Tai Tugung, the Chief Minister said the award recognises his contribution to the culture of the Himalayan region. Through Nyishi language, Arunachali Hindi, theatre, films and other creative work, Tugung has helped introduce Arunachal Pradesh’s traditions and folk identity to wider audiences. His play “Lapya” and film “Sangi Mai,” which was also screened at the Cannes Film Festival, were highlighted as important milestones in his artistic journey.
Dhami described the English translation of Negi’s songs as an important step toward taking Uttarakhand’s folk language and cultural heritage to a global audience. He expressed confidence that the book would introduce younger generations to Negi’s life, creative personality and decades-long musical journey.
The Chief Minister said the state government is working to preserve and promote folk languages, traditional arts, literature and cultural heritage. He said the process of registering folk artists has been simplified, with 275 cultural groups and 226 solo artists already listed. This, he added, is helping artists access performance opportunities as well as employment.
He also highlighted support for traditional instruments such as dhol and damau. Eligible artists are being provided instruments and traditional costumes free of cost every year. The monthly pension for elderly and financially vulnerable artists, writers and litterateurs who have dedicated their lives to folk art and literature has been increased from ₹3,000 to ₹6,000. At present, 180 artists are receiving the benefit.
To keep the traditional guru-shishya system alive, six-month training workshops are being organised through folk artists. These programmes are intended to help younger people learn traditional art forms and carry them forward.
Dhami said the state launched the Long-Term Literary Service Award in 2025, carrying prize money of ₹5 lakh. Under the Uttarakhand Sahitya Gaurav Samman, 57 writers in Hindi and other languages have so far been honoured. The government has also introduced the Sahitya Bhushan Award, with prize money fixed at ₹5.51 lakh, while financial assistance has been provided for the publication of books by 102 authors since 2022.
The Chief Minister said Uttarakhand aims to emerge not only as a leading tourism destination but also as a national centre for literature and culture. Plans are underway to develop two Sahitya Gram projects with accommodation, libraries, study centres and seminar facilities for writers. The proposed Himalayan Cultural Centre, art gallery and museum in Dehradun are also part of this wider cultural vision.
Narendra Singh Negi, writers, artists, cultural enthusiasts, representatives of cultural organisations and several prominent citizens attended the event.
Author: This news is edited by: Abhishek Verma, (Editor, CANON TIMES)
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