Shilpgrams established by regional cultural centers are playing a very important role in promoting and preserving Indian art and culture and providing a platform to talented artisans.
The main objective is to promote activities in Shilpgram / Kalagram. Shilpgram (later renamed Kalgram), Manimajra, Chandigarh has become a major center of cultural activities of the four member states on the Chandigarh-Kalka highway. It has become a focal point for promoting Indian art and culture in the region and is attracting millions of visitors. Kalagram is being restructured and its activities are being expanded to ensure that the younger generation imbibes the values of the rich Indian culture. Best efforts have been made to popularize traditional forms of dance, theater and music and to recognize and nurture talent among the weaker sections of society.
Apart from providing free transport and refreshment etc., regular training programs for slum children without any cost, participation of poor children, quiz competition, summer workshops for school students, free residential training program for poor children and many other activities have been started and conducted very successfully. Fortnightly and fortnightly sculpture workshops are conducted by masters throughout the year. To promote theater activities, North Zone Cultural Center has started ‘Friday Theatre’. The North Region Cultural Center also organizes the Chandigarh National Craft Mela, which becomes an annual feature. The number of activities in Kalagram has increased manifold. A large number of NGOs, government institutions, schools, other educational institutions, TV channels, music albums and film producers are using Kalagram’s infrastructure to complete their projects. Many tour operators are now bringing tourists to Kalagram.