MR. JIYA LAL THAKUR, A RENOWNED FOLK SINGER FROM HIMACHAL PRADESH AND A RECIPIENT OF RECOGNITION FROM THE LATE PRESIDENT DR. A. P. J. ABDUL KALAM, IS DEDICATED TO PRESERVING AND PROMOTING INDIA’S RICH CULTURAL HERITAGE.

On 7 August 2006, he presented the National Anthem Jana Gana Mana, the National Song Vande Mataram, and the patriotic song Sare Jahan Se Achha, enriched with the fundamental elements of Vedic arts, before the then President Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam.

His contribution reflects a unique blend of traditional Vedic artistry and Indian national spirit, making him a distinguished ambassador of Himachal Pradesh’s folk culture.

1994

Awarded First Position in Harmonium Solo Performance in cultural competitions organized by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Himachal Pradesh.

Participated in cultural competitions organized by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Himachal Pradesh, following the staging of traditional LokRangmanchKariyala performances.

1995

Represented Himachal Pradesh at the National Youth Festival, Bhopal (12–16 January 1995), organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India, and performed the ancient Vedic martial folk sport Thoda, traditionally believed to have originated during the Treta Yuga. Secured First Position in Harmonium Solo Performance at district-level cultural competitions organized by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Himachal Pradesh.

Received certificates through Sargam Kala Manch, Solan in Harmonium Solo, Folk Song, and Folk Dance competitions held in Solan from 9–10 December 1995.

1998

Awarded Second Position in Harmonium Solo Performance at the National Youth Festival, Chennai, held from 12–16 January 1998, organized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Government of India.

2003

Received a Certificate of Appreciation for presenting the folk culture of Himachal Pradesh at ParabUtsav 2003, held at Koraput, Odisha, on 21 November 2003, through Sargam Kala Manch, Solan.

2005

Served as a Resource Person in the Refresher Course organized by the Department of Music, Panjab University, Chandigarh, from 14 September to 4 October 2005, delivering lectures and demonstrations on the authentic folk culture of Himachal Pradesh.

Received a Certificate of Appreciation for providing harmonium accompaniment during a Classical Music Conference organized by Shyam SangeetSammelanSamiti, Kullu, at Hotel Vaishali, Kullu, on 7 February 2005.

2006

On 7 August 2006, presented the National Anthem “Jana Gana Mana,” the National Song “Vande Mataram,” and the patriotic composition “Sare Jahan Se Achha”, enriched with the fundamental elements of Vedic arts, before the then President of India, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The presentation was subsequently broadcast on Sansad TV.

2009

Received a Certificate of Appreciation from Himachal Pradesh Sirmaur Kala Sangam, BayriDadahu, on 7 June 2009, for contributions to cultural preservation.

2012

Received a Certificate of Appreciation from SangeetNatakAkademi, Chandigarh, for harmonium accompaniment with Padma BhushanUstad Abdul Rashid Khan during a Classical Music Conference held at PGI Auditorium, Chandigarh, on 19–20 August 2012.

2013

Honoured by Sanskar Bharati (North Zone) on 4 September 2013 for enriching the National Anthem, National Song, and patriotic compositions through the incorporation of fundamental elements of Vedic arts.

2015

Awarded the prestigious Himachal Shri Samman by Himotkarsh Sahitya, SanskritiEvam Jan Kalyan Parishad, District Sirmaur, on 3 August 2015, for the preservation and promotion of folk music.

Received an Excellence Award from the Divya Himachal Group in recognition of contributions to cultural heritage.

Provided harmonium accompaniment for SugamSangeet presentations by Dr. Y.S. Parmar University, Nauni, Solan, at the National Agri Fest, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 4 February 2016.

Delivered lectures and demonstrations on the authenticity of Vedic Talas (Rhythms) during a seminar jointly organized by the Language & Culture Department, Solan, and Sargam Kala Manch, Solan, on 25 December 2016.

Trained students in traditional folk musical instruments under the Guru-ShishyaParampara Scheme sponsored by NZCC Patiala from 2016 to 2019.

2018

Received an Excellence Award from Chaudhary Charan Singh University and the Uttar Pradesh Language Institute for lectures and presentations on Vedic Music and Vedic Rhythms during the seminar on “Indian Culture and World Welfare”, held on 29–30 March 2018.

Served as a Judge in cultural competitions organized by Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla, at Dharamshala from 26–29 September 2018.

Provided harmonium accompaniment during the 35th Youth Festival organized by the Department of Youth Services & Sports, Himachal Pradesh

2020

Provided harmonium accompaniment in the Classical Music Competition during the 23rd National Youth Festival, Lucknow, from 12–16 January 2020.

2023

Delivered lectures and demonstrations on authentic heritage culture based on Shiva Sutras, Chhanda Shastra, and the fundamental principles of Vedic arts at the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi, on 27–28 April 2023, under the auspices of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.

Served as a Judge in the State-Level Folk Song and Folk Dance Competitions organized by the Education Department, Himachal Pradesh, from 23–26 March 2023.

Presented the folk culture of Himachal Pradesh during Vasantotsav, held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from 11–20 March 2023.

Conducted lectures and training programs for 110 music students under a special educational initiative jointly organized by the Department of Music, Government Post Graduate College Solan, and the Language & Culture Department, Solan, from 28 August to 4 September 2023.

2024

Received a Certificate of Appreciation from Dr. Y.S. Parmar University of Horticulture & Forestry, Nauni, Solan, for training students in Solo, Duet, and Group Sugam Sangeet on 13 January 2024.

Received recognition from the Deputy Director of Education, Solan, for providing folk culture training to approximately 15,000 students across 52 schools, certificate issued on 15 July 2024.

Organized a 15-Day Pure Folk Music Training Workshop at Shoolini University under the sponsorship of NZCC Patiala, from 1–15 August 2024, through Sargam Kala Manch, Solan.

2025–2026

Received an Excellence Award and Certificate of Appreciation for presenting Himachali Nati Dance at the Dhanuyatra Mahotsav, Bargarh, Odisha, held from 24 December 2025 to 3 January 2026.