Col J P Singh
Tawi Festival, a timely conceptualized and well planned cultural event during India’s G-20 Presidency and in the currency of the nation’s Amrit Mohatsav celebrations makes it special for Jammu and its city of Temples. Scintillating Tawi Mela is most needed refreshment anecdote for Jammuites after having suffered periodic entertaining deprivations because of prolonged Carona Pandemic. This Mela is an organised series of concerts, plays and cultural events which is being celebrated in Amar Mahal Museum and Library (Amar Mahal Palace Jammu) Complex Jammu from 25th to 27th February 2023. This three days gala art and culture festival has been conceptulised and curated by Dr Jyotsana Singh (Rajkumari Jyoti), with an objective to revive and refresh the rich traditions of Duggardesh which is unparalleled for its stunning natural beauty, historic landmarks and vibrant artistic traditions. Tawi Festival will be inaugurated by Dr. Karan Singh, former Sadar-e-Riyasat. Dr Jyotasna Singh needs no introduction in her own home place. She is inheritor of remarkable and renowned historical, cultural and literary ancestry.
Since long Jammu has been passing through the paranoid delusion of its grandeur. Infact it has been a victim of this delusion. None else can perhaps demolish the paranoia and refresh the rich Dogra legacy, showcase Jammu region in its pristine glory and carry it forward with same elan. Projecting the glory of her homeland with its splendid grandeur is but natural in Dr Jyotsana’s case. Getting the best of it is also natural to Jammu.
Over a span of three days mesmerizing journey, the festival will celebrate creativity and traditions of Jammu region. Earlier Jammu was projected as an appendage of Kashmir and overshadowed by the valley in all spheres leave aside the heritage. But now the world has understood Jammu and come to know that it was Kashmir which was brought in the folds of Jammu Empire during early 19th century by Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1846 and remained shadowed under the long reach of Jammu till independence. My understanding is that lovers of Jammu and visitors of Tawi Mela will ponder over Jammu’s silence over the past deprivations and get amply enriched by their deeper understanding of the beauty and mesmerizing complexity of Jammu’s historic art and culture.
There is a vast breathtaking panorama of Jammu cult on the display. There is display of unique wonders of Basohli and Kangra miniature paintings from Basohli Atelier by Sohan Singh Bilawaria and his students representing the Guru-Shishya Parampra supported by Tara-Hari Charitable Trust on the very first day. Display of traditional costumes of the Duggarland in collaboration with Royal Fables including Dogra Ranis’ and Maharanis’ attire will be inaugurated by Kanwarani Ritu Singh on the 1st Floor of the Mahal. It should be worth noticing for the costume lovers how simplistic, yet glorious and attractive those attire and costume were and who would have designed them for Ranis and Maharanis. Some fashion designers may like to adopt and promote these attires for traditional weddings in Duggerland. There is an exhibition of art by renowned local artists Suman Gupta and Rajinder Tikoo in the rear lawn of Amar Mahal in the afternoon. Lovers of traditional and classical vocal music and dance will be entertained by Asha Rani and her troupe in the Darbar Hall.
2nd day of three days historical and cultural itinerary is especially planned for those interested in their heritage. Lectures by experts are part of the event. There will be a visit to Mubarak Mandi and access to various books from the collection of Raja Amar Singh dating back to 18th and early 19th century.
For the keen readers and learners of Dogra heritage, there is thought provoking discourse on the Dogra History, which indeed is the history of Jammu region and we have been hearing and reading it since long. More of it from learned historians has been planned to enrich our historical knowledge and distinct legacy. Grand finale of Tawi Mela will be a historical journey through interior and exterior of the Mahal for art, culture cuisine and unique performances of Jammu artists.
It would be seen that the Festival as a whole will be very illuminating because lot of effort has gone into its planning, preparation and execution. It has been conceptualized to be memorable one. Visitors are expected to get immersed in the sights, sounds and flavors of their dynamic regional identity.
Next day walk through the Mubarak Mandi heritage complex will be curated by Kirpal Singh, a conservation expert and former curator of Dogra Art museum. Vinita Dawra Nangia, festival director of the renowned Times of India Literature Festival will be inaugurating the artistic session. This will be followed by discussion on the Indian Culture and Art with Vaishnavi Kumari and Maalvika Pathania. They will exchange their research and curative inputs. Anshu Khanna and Safir Anand will also be giving their impressions of the festival on 2nd day. Besides this the visitors will witness a grand Mela with dances, music and traditional mouthwatering culinary delights of Jammu region. Then there is Kathak dance by Priya Dutt. Presence of Padam Shree Balwant Thakur and display by Natrang in collaboration with University of Jammu is going to be amusing.
Presence of Rajendra S Pawar, Padma Bhushan, Chairman NIIT and acclaimed global entrepreneur in IT and his interaction with aspiring entrepreneurs of Jammu has also been added to the gala festival for the much needed benefit of enterprising youth. He is role model not only for Dogra entrepreneurs but across India.
The last day of Tawi Festival will kick start with key note address by Ravi Singh, a publisher of Speaking Tigers. He will talk about the role of literature in the fusion of inclusivity with modernity. Other authors who will join the session are Lalit Gupta, Shailendra Singh, a Dogri writer, Khalid Hussain, Urdu & Punjabi short story writer. Swami Antar Nirav is scheduled to recite his scintillating poems. Suman Sharma, writer & translator with Dr Bhavneet Kaur, a doctor and an English novelist will also share their interesting stories with the gathering. Each day of the festival will have a gala dinner for visitors and participants. It will be hosted by the royal family.
A fete will be held on the Amar Mahal Lawns. This Mela will showcase dances, music and traditional food of Jammu Region. These performances will be from 2 to 4 PM.
Not much has been said about rich heritage of Jammu. Nothing exists in the school books. Hence we do not know much about our unique and rich heritage. We may be knowing more about Rajasthan Palaces but not about Mubarak Mandi. This special Tawi Mela is in that context. Such events are rare. This one is specially for us. Hence let us not miss this opportunity to enjoy it.
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