HimVani

Dharamshala: The annual state-level Dharamshala Summer Festival got off to a cold start with not many present at the inaugural ceremony. Absence of any political figures from Congress as well as BJP at the venue left little to be guessed as to why the cultural event evoked little interest. With politicians busy preparing for the Hamirpur by-polls, the show this time is completely being managed by the bureaucracy.

The event started with a colourful presentation by artists from Trigart Kala Vasundhara Manch, which was followed by shahnai by Rafiq Mohammad. The night, in fact, belonged to local artists with hope that star power will attract good crowds in the coming two days.

Meanwhile, the month-long International Shimla Summer Festival will start from May 15. Bollywood singers Aalka Yagnik and Shreya Ghoshal have already confirmed their presence at the fest. The yesteryears’ week-long festival has been extended to a month-long festival for the first time.