Udhampur Campus and IGNCA Celebrate the Dogra Festival of “Rutt Raade” with Community Enthusiasm and Cultural Fervour
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Udhampur, July 14: The Udhampur Campus (Garnai-Lotta) of the University of Jammu, in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Regional Centre Jammu, marked the grand celebration of the month-long Dogra heritage festival Rutt Raade, which began on 15th June 2025 on the auspicious occasion of Aashaad Sankranti. 
 
The chief guest for the occasion was Mrs. Anuradha, a renowned visual and folk artist, accompanied by Prof. Suman Jamwal, esteemed historian and Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences; Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Director, IGNCA, Regional Centre Jammu, as Guests of Honour; and Sh. O. P. Sharma, IFS (Retd. PCCF) and noted environmentalist, as the Special Guest. The event began with the ceremonial inauguration by the chief guest, who joined local women, men, students, and children in creating vibrant Rangolis around the Raade using natural, plant-based colours, showcasing the unique aesthetic and ecological dimensions of the festival.
In her address, Mrs. Anuradha highlighted the cultural richness of India, emphasizing the need to preserve and celebrate indigenous traditions. She drew parallels between Raade and Rajasthan’s Gujwar festival, dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati), underlining how such traditions promote community bonding, feminine energy, and familial well-being. “Festivals like these serve as the social glue that binds communities and adds vibrancy to the cultural fabric of our country,” she said.
Prof. Suman Jamwal lauded the efforts of the Udhampur Campus, UoJ to revive Raade, stating, “Reconnecting with our traditional festivals is akin to rediscovering our roots and realigning ourselves with nature. The Raade festival is a beautiful example of gender balance and cultural resilience within Dogra society.” She stressed the need to contextualize such traditions in the contemporary world and called for decolonizing mindsets to better appreciate indigenous knowledge systems.
 
Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Director of IGNCA, expressed her deep appreciation for the efforts made by the Udhampur Campus and its surrounding communities. “The Raade festival reflects the Indian philosophical concept of Panch Bhoota (five elements), emphasizing harmony with nature. IGNCA is committed to preserving such environment-centric traditions and will support efforts to restore the festival’s prominence across the region.” opined the worthy Director.
Sh. O. P. Sharma emphasized the symbolic essence of the Raade—the germination of seeds as a metaphor for growth, fertility, and progress. He encouraged the community to recognize and revere nature’s generosity and urged active participation in ecological and cultural preservation.
 
Prof. Yash Pal Sharma, Rector of the Udhampur Campus, UoJ passionately outlined the festival’s multifaceted significance—spiritual, cultural, historical, socio-economic, philosophical, and ecological. Drawing from personal experiences, he expressed concern about the waning awareness among the younger generation and underscored the importance of cultural education. “Commemorating the Raade festival fosters curiosity, strengthens our connection to nature, and deepens appreciation for our Dogra heritage,” he said.
Throughout the month, women and young girls from nearby villages beautify the Raade every Sunday with colourful, organic rangolis, reviving age-old practices. The festival will conclude on the following Shravan Sankranti i.e 16 July 2025, with vibrant community participation and cultural celebration, reviving a fading tradition deeply rooted in Dogra heritage.
 
It is pertinent to mention here that the celebration of Rutt Raade at Udhampur Campus of the University of Jammu not only reaffirms the community’s deep-rooted traditions but also signals a promising movement toward cultural revival and sustainable heritage practices. Under the continued patronage of Prof. Umesh Rai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu and the dedicated involvement of the community, the Raade festival stands poised to reclaim its place in the cultural landscape of Jammu and beyond.
 
The smooth conduct of the event was coordinated by Dr. Jyoti Sharma, with month-long organizational efforts led by Mrs. Taruna Dubey, Mr. Pradeep, Mr. Nikhil Khajuria, Dr. Sunita Kumari, Dr. Jyotishna, Dr. Ritika, Dr. Kamini, Dr. Prerna, along with the students, non-teaching staff of Udhampur Campus, and residents of Garnai-Lotta village