Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 9: ‘Prem Prayasa’, a Charity Art Exhibition organized by Kunwar Viyogi Trust in collaboration with the University of Jammu opened at the Rinchen Zangpo Art Gallery, University of Jammu (JU) here today.
Inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, the exhibition which features 30 artists of Jammu region has been co-ordinated by well-known painter Rohit Verma.
Dr. Jitendra Singh evincing keen interest interacted with individual artists whose works have been displayed in the exhibition. He was accompanied by Prof R D Sharma, Vice Chancellor, JU, and senior faculty members of the University, Poonam Jamwal, founder of Kunwar Viyogi Trust, and Prof Anita Billawaria, Director, Rinchen bZangpo Art Gallery.
The week-long exhibition which has on show works of academically trained as well amateurs and self- taught painters and sculptors, is an opportunity to view the varied styles and techniques that inform the creative expressions of modern visual artists of the region.
The painters whose works in oils, watercolor, ink and mixed media are on display include Suman Gupta, Rohit Verma, Bhushan Kesar, Sat pal Deol, Rakesh Kumar, Manoj Chopra, Vijay Anand, Surpal Singh, Suresh Sharma, Dr Sanjay Sharma, Sahil Ohri, Rashmi Singh Jamwal, Rakesh Sharma, Rajinder Pal, Jang Varman, Anuradha Rishi, Sangeeta Gupta, Poonam Jamwal and Ankush Kesar.
The sculpture section with works in different materials like wood, copper, fiberglass, ceramics and mixed media, includes creative expressions of sculptors such as Ravinder Jamwal, Bishamber Mehta, Chander Prakash, Sonu Agarwal, Surjeet Singh Kukkal, Brij Pal Anand, Ganesh Sharma, Jasleen Singh, Jugal Kishor, Vikas Khajuria, Vikas Dogra and Jyoti Gupta.
Prominent personalities present on the occasion included Maj Gen (retd) Govardhan Singh Jamwal, Prof Lalit Magotra, Prof Neelu Rohmetra, Prof Kedar Nath Sharma, Prof Shiv Dev Singh, Dr Sanjay Sharma, Suman Gupta, Ravinder Kaul, Mohan Singh, Arvind Gupta and students of Institute of Music and Fine Arts and JU.
In connection with Kunwar Viyogi Utsav, a one-day seminar was also organized by the Department of Dogri, University of Jammu in collaboration with The Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust titled “Kunwar Viyogi – Ek Chetan Di Ladi” .
Speaking on the occasion, JU Vice-chancellor Prof R D Sharma said that the languages connect people to their roots and particularly to the culture. He asked to preserve the culture and stressed on inculcating moral values and creating interest in children for their mother tongue so that they carry forward the rich heritage of Dogra culture.
Delivering her presidential address, Prof. Veena Gupta, former Head, Department of Dogri dwelt on various facets and works of Kunwar Viyogi and hoped that his contribution in the field of literature will inspire the students and researchers to contribute towards promotion of the language and also in understanding the rich legacy of the Dogra Culture.
Kunwar Viyogi Memorial Trust Chairman Col. (Retd.) Kulbir Singh Jamwal, who is also younger brother of Kunwar Viyogi, while speaking on this occasion, narrated many instances of his life, which portrayed Kunwar Viyogi as a person who was completely and wholeheartedly dedicated to the cause of Dogri.
Ms. Poonam Jamwal, Vice-Chairman of KVM Trust highlighted many distinctive qualities of Kunwar Viyogi’s personality as a leading figure in every venture, an inspirer and above all in managing the activities, plans etc.
The other highlights of the Seminar were, the release of session Kunwar Viyogi’s award winning book ‘Ghar’ translated in Hindi language by writer and Dogri Sanstha president Chhatrapal, documentary based on the life and works of Kunwar Viyogi and paper reading session.
In the memory of Kunwar Viyogi, scholarship instituted by the Trust was also announced during the programme by the Vice-Chairman of the Trust Poonam Jamwal. The Scholarship will be given annually for two toppers of M.A. Dogri i.e. one for male and other for female toppers. This year, Rajeet Kumar and Shiwali Choudhary, toppers of M.A. Dogri were awarded the same. The award carrie a cash amount of Rs. 10,000/- and a memento.
Senior faculty members of the department including Prof. Archana Kesar, Prof. Parmeshwari , Prof. Shiv Dev Singh and Dr. Sushma Sharma were also presented mementos on the occasion.
Earlier, Prof. Parmeshwari Sharma, HoD Dogri highlighted the importance and relevance of the programme.
Prof. Shiv Dev Singh Manhas presented vote of thanks at the conclusion of the programme whereas the proceedings of the programme were conducted by Ms. Poonam Kumari and Ms. Sonika Jasrotia, Ph.D. scholars of the department.
The paper reading session was chaired by Prof. Lalit Mangotra, Convener, Dogri Advisory Board, Sahitya Akademi, New Delhi in which Dr. Om Goswami presented his paper on “Kunwar Viyogi: Kish Yadan” , Chhaterpal on “Manukhi Samvednayen Da Dastavej : Ghar” and Sh. Shamsher Lal on “Kunwar Viyogi De Kavya Ch Bimb Te Prateek.”
The One-day Seminar was attended by a galaxy of writers, intellectuals, associates and relatives of Kunwar Vyogi, teachers & officers of Jammu University, prominent citizens, students and scholars.
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