Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 15: The Tribal Art workshop was officially opened by Principal Secretary of Culture and School Education, Suresh Kumar Gupta, along with Mohammad Aijaz, the Secretary of the Rural Development Department, at the GR Santosh Gallery, Kala Kendra, in Jammu.
This workshop represents a partnership between the Kala Kendra Society in Jammu and the Department of Painting at the Institute of Music and Fine Arts (IMFA), University of Jammu.
During the event, Suresh Kumar Gupta stressed the importance for artists, painters, and sculptors to delve into indigenous art forms and actively promote tribal culture through their creativity. He praised the participants for their interest in themes reflecting tribal life and heritage.
Mohammad Aijaz pointed out how art contributes to both tribal and rural development. He encouraged officials from the Rural Development Department to incorporate local artists into the Rural Livelihood Mission, helping rural women enhance their traditional arts with creative elements.
Dr. Javaid Rahi, Secretary of the Kala Kendra Society, revealed that 30 Fine Arts students took part in the workshop.
The objective of the workshop was to motivate the younger generation to engage with Tribal Art alongside other contemporary styles. Renowned artist Madhusudan Das from Delhi was brought in to impart training on the intricacies of Tribal Art.
Dr. Milan Sharma, Head of the Painting Department at IMFA, noted that the workshop featured 30 distinctive artworks centered on Tribal Art. She emphasized that this initiative has provided students with a deeper appreciation of Tribal Art, bridging a significant gap in their academic and creative experiences.
Madhusudan Das commended the rich tribal art heritage of Jammu and Kashmir and asserted that it deserves wider recognition. He expressed his dedication to promoting Tribal Art among the youth across India.
The workshop was organized by IMFA faculty members Rachita Dutta and Ankush Kesar.
Participants Rohit Verma, Sukhjeet Singh, and Anish Tickoo indicated that this workshop would lead to the conceptualization of new perspectives on Tribal Art. They remarked in their individual lectures that the hands-on approach of the workshop allowed students to delve into the vibrant imagery, colors, and narratives embedded in Tribal Art, establishing a foundation for a fresh creative language in their artistic expressions.
