BASOHLI, SEPTEMBER 27: The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Regional Centre Jammu & Kashmir, in collaboration with the Divisional Administration, Jammu and the Lalit Kala Akademi, successfully organized a one-day workshop on the theme “Vision of Viksit Bharat” under the nationwide celebration of Sewa Parv. The event was held at the Vishwa Sthali Art Gallery, Basohli.
The highlight of the programme was a special exhibition of Basohli paintings. More than 50 professional artists from Basohli, along with painters from Rajasthan and Bengal, showcased their works. Students from 20 schools across 10 districts also participated enthusiastically, bringing the total participation to over 500 students in the workshop series.
The painting workshops were conducted across several iconic heritage and cultural sites of Jammu Division — Mubarak Mandi, Bagh-e-Bahu, Samba Fort, Basohli Fort, Char Chinar Kishtwar, Sula Park Reasi, among others. Students artistically interpreted these locations within the framework of “Viksit Bharat,” presenting a creative vision of India’s future rooted in culture and heritage. The collected artworks were later displayed at the Vishwa Sthali Art Gallery, where Atal Setu was showcased as a symbol of modern India’s development.
Basohli painting, once considered an art form on the verge of extinction, has been revived and recognized at the national level. Thanks to the efforts of the Prime Minister and the strong will of the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, this historic art form recently received the prestigious Geographical Indication (GI) Tag. The workshop and exhibition thus became an occasion to celebrate not only the art but also its growing cultural and economic significance.
The event was graced by MLA Basohli, Darshan Singh and senior officer Shakti Pathak (IPS), who encouraged the students and artists to actively contribute to the preservation and promotion of heritage and culture.
On the occasion, students also took a pledge of ‘Sewa Vrat’, symbolizing their commitment to selfless service, national development and community welfare.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA Jammu & Kashmir, emphasized the role of culture and heritage in the vision of Viksit Bharat. She stated, “India’s soul lies in its cultural diversity and traditions. When we preserve and empower these traditions, we are in fact contributing to making India self-reliant, strong and developed.”
The workshop concluded with a powerful message of national unity, cultural pride and the spirit of service. The event not only infused new energy into the tradition of Basohli painting but also inspired the younger generation to recognize art and culture as vital forces that can shape India’s identity and place on the global stage.
