Grandson of legendary folk artist Pandit Lakhmi Chand to receive Rs 1 lakh cash award and citation

Vishnudutt Selected for Shri Dhanpat Singh Sangi Lifetime Achievement Award 2026

Saang embodies Haryana’s cultural identity, folk traditions and social consciousness: Dr. Aditya Dahiya

Chandigarh, November 11

Sh. Vishnudutt, grandson of legendary Saang artist Pandit Lakhmi Chand, has been selected for the prestigious Shri Dhanpat Singh Sangi Lifetime Achievement Award 2026 for his contribution to Haryana’s rich folk theatre tradition. He will be honoured with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh and a citation.

Dr. Aditya Dahiya, Director, Information, Public Relations and Languages Department, Haryana, said Saang holds a special place in the state’s cultural heritage. Beyond entertainment, it has served as a powerful medium for conveying social values, moral teachings and the everyday experiences of rural communities through folk theatre.

He said the department organises the State-Level Saang Mahotsav every year to preserve this cultural legacy, promote traditional performing arts and encourage artists who have dedicated themselves to keeping the art form alive.

The State-Level Saang Mahotsav for 2025–26 was held from February 23 to 27, 2026, at the auditorium of the Haryana Kala Parishad in Kurukshetra. During the five-day Mahotsav, artists from across the state showcased Haryana’s traditional folk theatre through Saang performances combining folk music, acting and dialogue delivery.

Selection Based on Performance and Career Achievements

Explaining the selection process, Dr. Aditya Dahiya said the award recipient was chosen through a structured evaluation by two committees.

The Review Committee assessed the artists’ stage performances out of a maximum of 60 marks, while the Selection Committee evaluated their supporting documents and biographical profiles for the remaining 40 marks.

Sh. Vishnudutt was selected for the Lifetime Achievement Award on the basis of the combined assessment of the two committees.

Carrying Forward Pandit Lakhmi Chand’s Cultural Legacy

Dr. Aditya Dahiya said Pandit Lakhmi Chand’s contribution to Haryana’s folk theatre and literary traditions remains unparalleled. Through his compositions, folk songs and Saang performances, he enriched Haryanvi folk literature and gave artistic expression to the aspirations, struggles, social concerns and moral values of ordinary people.

His works continue to capture the emotional depth of rural life, the nuances of human relationships and Haryana’s cultural ethos. Dr. Aditya Dahiya said the selection of his grandson, Sh. Vishnudutt, for this prestigious honour is also a tribute to Pandit Lakhmi Chand’s enduring cultural legacy. His contribution helped establish folk theatre and the Haryanvi language as defining elements of the state’s identity.

Haryana Government Committed to Preserving Traditional Folk Arts

The Director said Sh. Vishnudutt will be presented with a cash award of Rs 1 lakh and a citation. Other artists who participated in the State-Level Saang Mahotsav have also been paid an honorarium of Rs 30,000 per performance.

He said the Haryana Government remains committed to preserving and promoting the state’s traditional folk arts and ensuring their wider recognition. The department is working to honour the contributions of veteran performers while providing opportunities for emerging artists to showcase their talent.

Emphasising the importance of connecting younger generations with their cultural roots, Dr. Dahiya said such Mahotsav and awards play a vital role in sustaining Haryana’s traditional performing arts. Saang is an expression of Haryana’s folk spirit. Preserving this living tradition is our collective cultural responsibility, he said.

Dr. Aditya Dahiya added that sustained efforts to recognise accomplished artists and promote traditional art forms would help preserve Haryana’s rich folk theatre heritage and inspire future generations to carry it forward.