Jaisalmer: Padma Shri awardee Anwar Khan, an international folk artist and musician from Jaisalmer, has been appointed vice chairman of the National Sangeet Natak Akademi under the Union ministry of culture Thursday.Speaking over the phone after taking charge, Khan thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union tourism and art & culture minister Gajendra Singh. He said he would work to live up to the trust placed in him and take Rajasthan’s folk music and culture to the global stage. He added that he would focus on the welfare of folk artists and ensure they receive appropriate platforms. Khan’s appointment is being seen as significant, with a folk artist from the Manganiyar community getting the post for the first time. As the news spread, supporters and artists across Rajasthan expressed happiness.Folk artists of Jaisalmer, including Gazi Khan Barna and Baksh Khan Gunasar, expressed their happiness and said the appointment was a matter of pride for folk artists of the Mirasi community. They also conveyed their wishes Khan and his family.Former chairman of the Rajasthan Urdu Akademi and former minister of State, Ashraf Ali also congratulated Khan and called the appointment a moment of pride for lovers of Indian folk music.
