Art, culture trust holds workshop on traditional miniature painting style

The Mandi chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) organised a one-day workshop on the Mandi Kalam miniature painting style for school students at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET) in Mandi yesterday. The workshop aimed at preserving and reviving the rich cultural heritage of the region’s mediaeval folk painting tradition.

A total of 62 students from various schools participated in the event. The primary goal of the workshop was to raise awareness among the younger generation about the intricate Mandi Kalam style, which has deep historical roots in the region.

The workshop was inaugurated by Mandi Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Rohit Rathour. He said a painting competition and exhibition would be held during the upcoming Shivratri fair in Mandi, providing an opportunity for young artists to showcase their skills and promote local art. “This will allow the hidden talent among the youth to come to the fore,” he remarked.

Naresh Malhotra, convenor of the INTACH’s Mandi chapter, welcomed the gathering and emphasised the importance of preserving traditional art forms. He revealed that all the paintings created by students during the workshop would be exhibited in the near future, offering them wider exposure.

Co-convener Anil Sharma expressed hope that the workshop would spark greater interest in the art among the students. He also commended the students for their enthusiasm and creativity throughout the event.

The workshop was conducted by Mandi Kalam expert Rajesh and his disciple Parul Kapoor, who shared their expertise with the students on the history, techniques, and use of colours while making the paintings. They guided the participants through the steps of creating their own miniature paintings, incorporating the traditional style into their artwork.

The students, representing schools such as DAV Sanitary Public School, Alpine Public School, Vijay Senior Secondary School, and several others, displayed a range of beautiful paintings, reflecting the unique style of Mandi Kalam. Among the schools, the paintings created by students from DAV, Ner Chowk, Kendriya Vidyalaya, Jawahar Nagar, and Guru Govind Singh Senior Secondary School were adjudged the best.

At the closing ceremony, ADC Rathour presented mementos to the top-performing schools and certificates of participation to all the students who took part in the workshop.

The event was attended by dignitaries, including INTACH members Dr Harish Bahl, Ajay, Kamal Malhotra, Rajeev, Banita Malhotra, Indu Sharma, Neeraj Sharma, Harish, and DIET coordinator Rakesh Kumar. Painters Rajesh and Parul Kapoor, along with Kumar Aman, were also present to assist the students during the workshop.

The workshop marked a significant step toward preserving the traditional art form of Mandi Kalam while simultaneously engaging and inspiring the younger generation to appreciate and carry forward the region’s cultural heritage.