By Saman Rai & Waqar Jappa
If you can have a locality may be a Tehsil with lot of angry or unhappy people living in and trust me there are quite a few in Punjab. Why can’t we have a Tehsil teeming with happy people? I know, it sounds little awkward, but since one doesn’t get charged for asking questions. So, we are just asking. Ok. Let’s be specific. Can we have a Tehsil of Utmost Happiness in Punjab? You can drop in your suggestions in my email if you think so. Here is the work of our little minds.
We propose that Culture Committees at Tehsil level under the chairmanship of concerned AC may be established to map out; preserve, promote, patronize and bring local culture (read with local crafts,arts,fairs, festivals, urs, melas) into national stream. Every TCC has been envisaged to work for uplift of local culture. It is also expected to work as a platform in generating a “Happiness Factor” at the gross root level.
The Rationale: Currently, Information & Culture Department is limited to divisional level with an underperforming set up of arts councils. It has no administrative set up at District or Tehsil level which means zero percent directed patronization of the local culture by the government. Outcome; withering away of local arts and crafts, shrinking space for happiness generating activities, Widespread increase in extremism and intolerance in society, limited appreciation of art and artists, decay in almost every field of art, miserable condition of a great majority of art practitioners and so on. Such grave state of affairs is a reason enough to set up culture committees at Tehsil level.
Moreover, with the promulgation of Punjab Art & Culture Policy Frame work 2017 and extension of arts councils and cultural complexes at District level in the near future as Information & Culture Department has secured state land in 9 districts for construction of culture complexes, formation of such cultural committees at the Tehsil level will go a long for doing the ground work and creating a much needed liaison with upper tiers.
Last but most important, as the 70th Independence Day Celebrations approaches, these committees can be relied to ensure that the day is celebrated in a befitting manner by adding the colors of local culture into it.
Core Functions of a TCC: A TCC is expected to perform following core functions;
- Registration of the local artists, artisans and craftsmen with concerned arts council
- Registration of the local festivals, Urs, Melas, with concerned arts council
- To maintain liaison and coordinate with Arts Council and other local cultural bodies
- To organize local festivals, Urs, Melas, Theatre plays, Mehfil e Samah, Folk musical performances, Mushairas etc on a regular interval in coordination with local government and ensure mass participation
- To work for the welfare of the art practitioners and recommended needy artists for financial assistance to concerned Arts Council
We live in hope that setting up of Culture Committees at Tehsil level will usher in an era of cultural intelligence, respect and promotion of art and more reasons to be happy at gross root level. And no wonder, one day, you might find yourself living in your Tehsil of Utmost Happiness!