The theatre at Dal Lake was launched at the end of the Iconic Week Festival, with the screening of Bollywood classic, Kashmir ki Kali.
The picturesque Dal Lake in Jammu and Kashmir is now home to the first open-air floating theatre in India. Launched at the concluding ceremony of the week-long Iconic Week Festival by Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir, the theatre is expected to boost tourism in the Union Territory.
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The inauguration saw a shikara rally from Nehru Park to Kabootar Khana, where shikara boats were adorned with twinkling lights and local artists sang and danced to folk songs. The rally was followed by the screening of the 1964 Bollywood film Kashmir ki Kali for residents and tourists present at the launch.
Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary, Tourism, and Culture, said to ANI, “We have a great demand for evening activities. The concept is pretty unique, not found anywhere in the world. It will greatly advantage the tourism in Kashmir. Our shikaras, houseboat owners, and the hotel industry are welcoming tourists with open hands. Kashmir is safe from the COVID-19 point-of-view since the entire tourist industry (here) is vaccinated. Various capacity-building programmes were done on COVID protocols by the industry. Since winter is coming soon, we hope people from across the country and world will visit Jammu and Kashmir.”
The tourism department’s latest attraction has been very well received by all. This is a great opportunity for locals employed in the tourism industry, as watching a movie under the stars while floating on the shimmering waters of Dal Lake is certainly a unique experience that is bound to attract tourists from all around.