Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 29: It was a houseful at the inauguration of Rasamanjari: Divine Saga of Basohli Art at Museo Camera in Gurugram.
The guests viewed Basohli miniatures, juxtaposed with poetry written by Dogri’s acclaimed litterateur Kunwar Viyogi, who has written over 2000 sonnets in English and Dogri during his lifetime. The event was curated by Art Tree.
Adding a contemporary dimension were paintings on Jammu by Rashmi Jamwal, highlighting ‘City of Temples’.
Organized by Kunwar Viyogi Memorial (KVM) Trust, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Jammu’s cultural heritage, the event was inaugurated by Jyotsana Singh, Director Amar Mahal Museum and Nisha Jamwal, Columnist, Luxury Consultant, Art Curator, both avid supporters of Basohli art.
As everyone admired these stunning masterpieces by National Awardee Sohan Singh Billawaria, the evening came alive when each member of the audience recited a sonnet by Kunwar Viyogi, personally experiencing his deeply moving thoughts on love, devotion and life.
Ghazal performance in Dogri by Jitender Jamwal based on Viyogi’s poetry was also there.
Host of the evening, Poonam Jamwal mentioned how growing up in Jammu and listening to her father Kunwar Viyogi’s poetry every morning shaped her life.
She said: “We aim to promote Basohli art, along with Jammu’s Paakh music, Viyogi’s works, Dogri jewellery, apparel and cuisine through Kunwar Viyogi Utsav that is held annually across the world.”
Lending support to this vision, Jyotsana Singh revealed that she has been a patron of Basohli miniatures for long and has funded students in Basohli to apprentice under Sohan Singh.
Nisha Jamwal said, “During the inaugural event of KVM Trust’s Art Festival, I was undoubtedly charmed by Basholi paintings on display by the Master Artist but was specially drawn to and ended up buying three works on Lord Hanuman by Rashmi Jamwal.”
Major General G.D Bakshi (Retd) said: “Dogras are great warriors but their art and culture is central to the idea of India. Such showcases are essential to give a platform to the contribution of Dogras to Indian culture.”
Anmol Jamwal, founder Tried & Refused Productions said: “Through KVM Trust, we want the language of Dogri & Basohli art to become accessible and the endeavours to integrate the same through modern mediums like movies, music and merchandising is already underway.”
Other guests included Ayushman Jamwal, poet and journalist; Vira Sharma, Editor, Global Times; Durba Mandal, Chel India, restaurateur Vanshaj Chauhan; Adarsh Gupta, Co-founder Dominiche Productions.
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