Shimla: Against the backdrop of the majestic Himalayan landscape and the historic grandeur of the Viceregal Lodge, the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) is preparing to host a unique cultural initiative aimed at preserving and promoting India’s rich artistic traditions. From June 15 to 19, the institute will organise a five-day art camp titled ‘Folk and Rural Imagery in Kangra Miniatures: An Indigenous Indian Art Perspective’, bringing together artists, scholars, researchers, tourists, and local residents to celebrate the enduring legacy of Himalayan art.
Housed in the iconic British-era Viceregal Lodge, now known as Rashtrapati Niwas, the IIAS has long served as a centre of academic and cultural excellence. Through this art camp, the institute seeks to breathe new life into the centuries-old traditions of Kangra miniature painting and Chamba Rumal embroidery, two of Himachal Pradesh’s most celebrated artistic expressions.
While Kangra miniature paintings are widely known for their delicate depictions of mythology, devotion, and the timeless love stories of Radha and Krishna, the upcoming camp will focus on a lesser-explored dimension of the art form—the everyday lives, customs, and landscapes of rural Himalayan communities. The initiative aims to highlight how indigenous art has historically captured the rhythms, occupations, celebrations, and social realities of village life.
A major attraction of the programme will be live demonstrations by six distinguished Kangra miniature artists and two master practitioners of the renowned Chamba Rumal embroidery tradition. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to observe intricate artistic techniques firsthand, gaining insights into the painstaking craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations.
The event is also inspired by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore’s belief that art should remain deeply connected to cultural memory and rural life. Organisers hope the camp will create meaningful dialogue between artists, academics, students, and the public, fostering a deeper appreciation of India’s indigenous knowledge systems and cultural heritage.
IIAS Director and noted historian Professor Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi, who has played a key role in strengthening the institute’s cultural outreach, said the initiative aligns with the institution’s broader efforts to preserve and showcase India’s civilisational heritage. Chaturvedi was also instrumental in establishing the recently inaugurated Tagore Gallery at IIAS, which chronicles the poet-philosopher’s life, ideas, and enduring global influence through rare archival materials and curated exhibits.
The art camp will conclude on June 19 with the inauguration of a specially curated exhibition by Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta. The artworks created during the camp will become part of the institute’s permanent collection, providing an invaluable resource for researchers, students, and art enthusiasts.
