Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 24 Aug: Dehradun witnessed a vibrant celebration of art and culture as fifty artists gathered at Graphic Era Hill University for a four-day workshop, exhibition and painting competition themed on ‘Vande Mataram –150 Years’. Organised jointly by the North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and Graphic Era Hill University, the event began today and will continue till 27 August. It brings together artists from across the country to showcase the richness of folk and tribal traditions.
Padma Shri awardee Dr BKS Sanjay, noted physician and Chairman of AIIMS Guwahati, inaugurated the programme and said that painting is a form of spiritual practice which inspires the younger generation to remain connected with their roots. He emphasised that art has its own powerful language beyond words, encouraging sensitivity, humanity and collaboration. He expressed hope that the participating artists would create works reflecting their unique styles while learning from each other’s traditions and techniques. He added that folk and tribal art represents India’s rich cultural heritage.
Reciting his poem ‘Kalakar’ (Artist) from his poetry collection Upahar Sandesh Ka, Dr Sanjay said an artist’s outward appearance may change with time, but the artist’s creation, sensitivity and creativity continue to live on. He added that an artist should be recognised not by the face, but by the creation, citing Rabindranath Tagore’s national anthem and Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Vande Mataram as enduring examples. He also said that traditional artforms could gain national and global recognition if artists received proper training, market access, platforms and due recognition.
Professor Sushil Upadhyay observed that an artist’s perspective differs from that of ordinary people and stressed that patience and continuous practice are essential in art. He described every art form as an expression of collective consciousness and urged students to study the works of Van Gogh, MF Husain, Amrita Sher-Gil and Ravi Paranjape.
Dean of Academics Pramod S Nair said the university is privileged to host such an event in collaboration with NCZCC, Prayagraj. He added that the exhibition would display artworks created during the workshop, offering students, art lovers and the public an opportunity to appreciate the diversity of Indian folk and tribal art. The painting competition will highlight the spirit of Vande Mataram, its historical significance and dedication to the nation, with themes of cultural heritage, freedom consciousness, respect for the motherland and Indian values reflected on canvas. Coordinator of the event, Krishna Kumar explained that under the guidance of NCZCC Director Sudesh Sharma, artists are presenting various dimensions of Indian culture, traditions, nature, folk life and patriotism through their creativity. He said the four-day event represents a confluence of art, culture and national sentiment, aiming to preserve traditional art forms while inspiring young artists to explore new horizons.
Among those present on the occasion included renowned artists Anand Bhoumik, Professor Anand Karmakar, Professor Abhishek Kumar, Professor Mandakini Sharma, Ajay Gupta and several distinguished guests.
