Bangana/Una, June 27: A massive crowd turned out on Friday for the grand cultural evening of the Kutlehar Festival, held for the second consecutive year as a cultural extension of the historic district-level Piplu Fair (June 24–26). Thousands of people enjoyed the folk culture, music, and vibrant performances at the event held in Bhalet, Bangana.
Keval Singh Pathania, Deputy Chief Whip of the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and MLA from the Shahpur constituency, attended the cultural evening as the chief guest. Distinguished guests present on the occasion included Indora MLA Malendra Rajan, Chintpurni MLA Sudarshan Singh Bablu, and Himachal Pradesh Advocate General Anup Rattan. Advocate Vijay Dogra (member of the HP State Scheduled Castes Commission) and Deputy Commissioner Jatin Lal were also specially present at the event. Local MLA Vivek Sharma and his wife, Mridu Sharma, welcomed and honored all the guests.
In his address, Keval Singh Pathania congratulated and extended his best wishes to MLA Vivek Sharma, the organizing committee, the district administration, and the local residents for the successful organization of the Kutlehar Festival. He remarked that such cultural events symbolize our rich heritage, folk traditions, and social unity. These events play a vital role in uniting society and connecting the younger generation with their culture and roots.
He stated that under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the state government is promoting religious and cultural events to ensure the youth remain connected to their folk culture. He noted that the Chief Minister had pledged to bring about systemic change upon assuming office, and the state government is continuously working in that direction for the public good. By vigorously advocating for the state's interests, the government has achieved significant milestones across various sectors. He stated that in the future, the state would receive approximately ?250 crore from JSW and about ?600 crore from the Kisau Dam project, funds that would be utilized for development activities.
Kewal Singh Pathania said that all public representatives would jointly recommend to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu that the district-level Piplu Fair be declared a state-level fair, thereby ensuring wider recognition for this historic event. He also announced a personal contribution of ?1 lakh to the fair committee for the successful organization of the Kutlehar Mahotsav.
On this occasion, Kewal Singh Pathania released the Piplu Fair-2026 souvenir. The souvenir highlights the history of the Piplu Fair, the rich cultural heritage of Kutlehar, and the major development works undertaken in the region during MLA Vivek Sharma's two-year tenure.
Himachal Pradesh Advocate General Anup Ratan stated that cultural events are being promoted in the state in line with the vision of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. He remarked that such programs serve as an effective medium to draw the youth away from 'mobile culture' and connect them with their traditions and social values.
MLA Vivek Sharma expressed his gratitude to all the organizers, officials, partner organizations, and local residents for making the festival a success. He noted that the Kutlehar Mahotsav has been organized for the second consecutive year, fulfilling a promise made during the elections. In the coming years, the event will be given an even grander and more expansive scale.
He added that the festival not only strengthens the region's cultural identity but also serves to unite people on a common platform.
Earlier, the chief guest participated in a grand procession. The procession, which moved from the Public Works Department (PWD) Rest House premises to the Bhelat festival venue, was enlivened by the sounds of traditional drums and bands, along with cultural troupes dressed in traditional attire, creating a festive atmosphere. **'Siya' Fashion Show Steals the Spotlight**
A fashion show organized under the aegis of 'Siya'—the clothing brand of young entrepreneur Ankush Badjatya from Una—emerged as a major attraction at the festival. The audience highly appreciated the participants' performances and their striking outfits.
**Gulab Sidhu and Kuldeep Sharma Mesmerize the Audience**
During the cultural evening, renowned Punjabi singer Gulab Sidhu and Himachali singer Kuldeep Sharma—popularly known as the 'Nati King'—entertained the audience thoroughly with their spectacular performances.