Mahindra Patyal
Bharmaur
The fifth State-Level Tribal Pride Day held in Bharmaur has sparked controversy, with local artists alleging neglect and discrimination. Despite belonging to villages just two kilometers away from the venue at Bharmaur Helipad, several local performers claim they were denied participation in the evening cultural program, while artists from hundreds of kilometers away were invited, honored, and reportedly paid more.
Artists including Rumel Singh Thakur from Rajour village, Surinder Patial from Mini Secretariat Patti, Shubham Nagla from Chaled, Naresh Sharma from Seri, and Sandeep Kapoor from Sirdi expressed disappointment, stating that they have been contributing to the promotion of tribal culture for years, yet their exclusion from such a significant event was shocking.
They further alleged that while outside artists were provided with accommodation, food, and other facilities, the few local artists who were invited received no such support.
Adding to the resentment, Manoj Chauhan—the producer of Sunni Bhunku, the only film made in the Gaddi language—and his team were also not invited. The film had brought the Gaddi language to Bollywood, yet its creators were overlooked.
The artists voiced strong protest, demanding that in future events, local talent must be given a proper platform to showcase their art and preserve the cultural heritage of the region.
When contacted, District Language Officer Tukesh Sharma clarified that the list of performers was provided by the Bharmaur administration, and some of those listed had expressed their inability to perform. He added that artists not registered with the department should ensure their registration and grading so they can be considered for such programs in the future.
