SHILPGRAM ACTIVITIES

Shilpgrams established by Zonal Cultural Centres are playing very significant role for the promotion and preservation of Indian Art & Culture and providing platform to the talented artisans.

The main objective is to boost the activities in Shilpgram/Kalagram. Shilpgram (later christened Kalagram), Manimajra, Chandigarh on the Chandigarh-Kalka Highway has virtually become a major hub of cultural activities of the four member states.  It has become the focal point for promotion of Indian art & culture in the region and is attracting lacs of visitors during the course of the year.  Kalagram is being re-structured & its activities are being expanded to ensure that younger generation imbibes the values of rich Indian culture. Earnest efforts have been made to popularize the traditional forms of dance, theatre and music and to identify and nurture talent in the weaker sections of society.

Regular training programmes for slum children without any fee besides providing facilities like free transportation and refreshment etc.,  participation of poor children, quiz contests, summer workshops for school students, free residential training programmes for poor children and many other activities have been introduced and conducted very successfully. Round the year fortnightly workshops of Paintings & Sculpture by Masters are organised. To promote the theatre activities, NZCC has started ‘Friday Theatre’. NZCC also organised ‘Chandigarh National Crafts Mela’ which becomes an annual feature. The number of activities at Kalagram have increased manifold. A large number of NGOs, Govt. bodies, schools, other educational institutions, TV Channels, music album and film makers are using Kalagram infrastructure to complete their projects.  A number of tour operators are now bringing tourists to Kalagram.