50 Artists Gather in Dehradun for ‘Vande Mataram–150 Years’ Celebration

Four-day folk and tribal art workshop, exhibition and painting competition brings artists, students and art enthusiasts together at Graphic Era Hill University

Dehradun: Fifty artists have come together at Graphic Era Hill University, Dehradun, for a four-day celebration of India’s rich folk and tribal art traditions under the theme ‘Vande Mataram–150 Years’. The event, being organised jointly by the North Central Zone Cultural Centre (NCZCC), Prayagraj, under the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, and Graphic Era Hill University, will continue from August 24 to 27.

The four-day programme features a folk and tribal art workshop, an exhibition and a painting competition, providing artists and young participants an opportunity to explore India’s diverse artistic traditions while expressing themes of culture, nature, folk life, patriotism and national consciousness.

Inaugurating the event, Padma Shri Dr B.K.S. Sanjay, Chairman of AIIMS Guwahati, emphasised the importance of encouraging young people to develop an interest in art and remain connected with their cultural roots. He said painting was a form of artistic discipline and that art possessed a powerful language of its own. According to him, folk art inspires people to remain connected with nature and their heritage while fostering sensitivity, humanity, cooperation and social bonding.

Dr Sanjay also expressed the hope that participating artists would create paintings and other artworks in their distinctive styles while using the workshop as an opportunity to understand different artistic traditions and exchange techniques with fellow artists.

Special guest Professor Sushil Upadhyay said that an artist views an object or situation from a perspective different from that of an ordinary person. Addressing the student artists participating in the workshop, he emphasised that art is a form of sadhana that requires patience, dedication and continuous practice.

Referring to sociologist Émile Durkheim and philosopher Aristotle, Professor Upadhyay said that every form of art represents an expression of collective consciousness. He encouraged young artists and students to study the works of renowned artists such as Vincent van Gogh, M.F. Husain, Amrita Sher-Gil and Ravi Paranjape to broaden their artistic understanding and perspective.

The event also seeks to give students and art enthusiasts an opportunity to engage closely with the diversity of Indian folk and tribal traditions. Dr Pramod S. Nair, Academic Dean of Graphic Era Hill University, said the university was pleased to host the programme in collaboration with NCZCC, Prayagraj.

He said the exhibition would showcase artworks created by participating artists during the workshop, enabling students, art lovers and members of the public to gain a closer understanding of India's varied folk and tribal art traditions.

The painting competition is one of the major attractions of the programme. Participants will interpret the spirit and historical significance of Vande Mataram through their paintings. Their works are expected to reflect themes including India’s cultural heritage, the spirit of the freedom movement, respect for the motherland and Indian values.

The workshop is also providing artists with a platform to explore and present different dimensions of Indian culture, traditions, nature, folk life and patriotism through creative expression. By bringing together artists working in diverse styles, the organisers aim to encourage an exchange of ideas and artistic techniques.

Workshop coordinator Dr Krishna Kumar said the programme is being organised under the direction of Sudesh Sharma, Director, NCZCC, Prayagraj. He said the central theme of ‘Vande Mataram–150 Years’ has encouraged participating artists to explore different aspects of Indian culture and national sentiment through their work.

Dr Kumar said the four-day programme represents a convergence of art, culture and national consciousness. He added that the initiative seeks not only to preserve and promote traditional art forms but also to inspire young artists to develop their creative abilities and explore new dimensions of artistic expression.

The programme is expected to provide a platform for meaningful interaction between established artists and emerging student artists. Through the workshop and exhibition, participants will have the opportunity to observe different creative approaches, understand traditional techniques and appreciate the cultural diversity reflected in India's folk and tribal art.

The ‘Vande Mataram–150 Years’ theme also gives the event a broader cultural and national dimension. By encouraging artists to interpret the historical and emotional significance of the national song through different artistic forms, the programme seeks to connect contemporary generations with India's cultural heritage and the values associated with the freedom movement.

The event is being attended by several prominent figures from the artistic and academic community, including renowned artist Anand Bhaumik, Professor Anand Karmakar, Professor Abhishek Kumar, Professor Mandakini Sharma and Dr Ajay Gupta, among others.

With 50 artists participating and a combination of workshops, exhibitions and competitions, the Dehradun event is emerging as a platform where traditional artistic heritage meets contemporary creative expression. The organisers hope that the initiative will encourage younger generations to appreciate India's folk and tribal traditions while giving artists an opportunity to contribute their own interpretations to the enduring spirit of Vande Mataram.

Disclaimer: This news is written on the basis of information received from different authentic sources.