‘The Tawi Festival of Art and Ideas’ to showcase rich traditions, culture of Jammu region

Jammu, Feb 22 (PTI) A three-day festival, “The Tawi Festival of Art and Ideas”, will be organised here from Saturday to honour and revive the rich traditions and multifaceted culture of the region.

The indigenous art festival, to be held at Amar Mahal Museum, will be inaugurated by senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha member Karan Singh. It is conceptualised and curated by museum director and Singh’s daughter Jyotsna Singh.

A presentation by renowned art critic BN Goswamy, a walk to Mubarak Mandi, and performances by folk and classical musicians as well as craft pop-ups and workshops are among the many events curated for the festival.

The inaugural event at the festival will be a presentation themed “The things which we do not see” by professor Goswamy on the ‘Nala Damayanti’ paintings featured in the museum’s collection.

“These inter-disciplinary expressions will also be a first step of its kind to invite people from outside the region and introduce them to the thriving heritage and progressive minds that this place has to offer to imbibe the uniquely innovative concept of promoting peace through inclusive modernity,” said the organisers in a statement.

Reputed for its evocative colors, bold lines, and deep-set facial patterns, the demonstration and display of Basohli and Kangra miniature paintings, contemporary art and sculpture, traditional and classical music and dance are other key highlights for visitors attending the festival at the picturesque landscape of Amar Mahal, overlooking the Tawi river.

Exhibitions during the festival will showcase traditional costumes of the Dogra Maharanis — Tara Devi and Yasho Rajya Lakshmi — and the rare books from the collection of Raja Amar Singh dating back to the early 19th century.

The festival is being organised in collaboration with Jammu University, Natrang theatre and FICCI FLO, Jammu.

It will come to a close on February 27.