Afak Khan | Sr. Correspondent
As a mark to honor and revive the rich traditions and multifaceted culture of Jammu region, an impressive three day festival titled as ‘The Tawi festival of Art and Ideas’ shall be celebrated with its creative grandeur at the prestigious Amar Mahal Museum Complex, Jammu, commencing on 25th Feb 2023 till 27th Feb 2023.
Conceptualized by Dr Jyotsna Singh, Director Amar Mahal Musuem, and put together by an entire team of artists, art historians and Heritage experts from the region, this innovative festival shall be a progressive effort to celebrate creativity, inclusiveness, tradition and modernity by bringing an eclectic amalgamation of art, music, culture, literature and stimulating ideas.
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 imbibing the uniquely innovative concept of promoting peace through inclusive modernity.
The upcoming festival shall be inaugurated with the welcome address given by Dr Karan Singh, a renowned elder-statesman and philosopher.
The inaugural event is a beautifully descriptive presentation themed ‘The things which we do not see’ given by Prof. B.N. Goswamy on the Nala Damayanti paintings featured in the Amar Mahal Museum collection.
Reputed for its evocative colors, bold lines, and the 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 going to be other experiences for visitors to the festival at the picturesque landscape of the beautiful Amar Mahal, overlooking the Tawi river.
The key highlights of the ongoing exhibition during this festival shall be the display of traditional costumes of the Dogra Maharanis, Tara Devi Ji and Yasho Rajya Lakshmi Ji at the Maharani Suite, Amar Mahal. An exclusive feature of this upcoming festival will be showcasing the rare books from the collection of Raja Amar Singh dating back to the early 19th century.
Prominent names attending the festival shall be Mrs Vinita Dawra Nangia, Festival Director of the renowned Times of India Fest, Mr Ravi Singh, publisher, Speaking Tiger, and the well known designer Mr. J.J Valaya and Mr. Rakesh Kumar from the Department of Glass and Ceramics at NID Ahmedabad.
The festival is being organized in collaboration with Jammu University, Natrang theatre and FICCI FLO, Jammu.
Each day of the festival shall have gala dinners for visitors and participants hosted by the erstwhile Royal family with rich cuisine and culinary delight of the region.
This three day festival shall be the first ‘Tawi festival of Art and Ideas’ anticipated to be held annually to celebrate creativity, inclusiveness, tradition and modernity.
