Kangra painting exhibition begins at McLeodganj

District Administration to provide all possible assistance for protection of Kangra painting, says DC Rakesh Prajapati

Dharmashala, July 13, 2019: 3-Day Kangra painting exhibition began at Mount View Complex in McLeodganj at Dharamshala on Saturday.
Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Prajapati, inaugurated the event.

It may be mentioned here that Kangra painting is the pictorial art of Kangra, named after Kangra valley area of Himachal Pradesh, a former princely state, which patronized the art. According to available information, it became prevalent with the fading of Basohli School of Painting in mid-18th century, and soon produced such a magnitude in paintings both in content as well as volume, that the Pahari painting school, came to be known as Kangra paintings.

The main centres of Kangra paintings are Guler, Basohli, Chamba, Nurpur, Bilaspur and Kangra. Later, this style also reached Mandi, Suket, Kulu, Arki, Nalagarh and Tehri Garhwal, and now are collectively known as Pahari painting, covering the style that was patronized by Rajput rulers between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The exhibition attacked many art lovers. All the paintings were worth seeing.

In his inaugural address, the deputy commissioner assured that effective steps would be taken to encourage Kangra painting. He added the youth would also be encouraged to associate with it.

The deputy commissioner said that Kangra painting was a symbol of past and in present time too.

“Kangra painting is keeping its identity alive”, remarked the deputy commissioner. Lauding this work of art, he said that in Kangra paintings one could have a glimpse of the ancient culture. He revealed that the Kangra Art Promotion Society was doing better work for protection of this art work.

Further, the deputy commissioner said that the Kangra Art Promotion Society was promoting young generation towards Kangra Paintings.

He categorically announced that the district administration would provide all possible assistance for the protection of Kangra painting, the ancient art.