THE Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha yesterday hosted its annual festival of arts, Kala Utsav, at the Pandit Reepu Daman Persaud Dharmic Sanskritik Kendra, Prashad Nagar.
More than 200 young people under the age of 25 participated in friendly competitions in the categories of Ramayan chanting, male and female singing, duet singing, classical dance, folk dance and kirtan.
Kala Utsav, introduced by the Sabha more than 20 years ago, was conceived as an innovative way of propagating and preserving the Indian art forms.
It aims to motivate young people to continue the traditions of their foreparents and to achieve excellence in the various art forms, while at the same time building the talent bases in the various regions.
It is widely seen as a launch pad for talented youths across the country and allows talent to be discovered for future development.
Trophies, certificates and cash incentives were given to all the participants. The visiting troupe from the National Ramlila Council of Trinidad presented a short piece to open the Utsav.