SRINAGAR: A prestigious painting camp themed “The Beauty of Kashmir” commenced here on Monday at Shri Pratap Singh (SPS) Museum at Lal Mandi here. This remarkable event is part of a series of programmes being organised to commemorate the “Vitasta Cultural Festival,” set to take place from June 23 at SKICC Srinagar.
A total of 16 artists consisting of celebrated veterans and emerging talents hailing from Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan excitedly joined this artistic endeavour. The painting camp, a collaborative effort of North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), Patiala and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture, and Languages (JKAACL), is scheduled to span until June 25, allowing ample time for creativity to flourish.
The artistic creations produced during this camp will be showcased at the prestigious “Vitasta Cultural Festival,” at SKICC on June 23.
Secretary JKAACL, Bharat Singh, inaugurated the camp. Extending warm greetings to the participants, he said, “Organising such a unique painting camp serves as a medium to inspire artists, particularly budding talents by providing them with a platform to showcase their skills. Artists possess the inherent ability to transform any object or natural scenery into a more captivating form through their boundless imagination, he opined”
NZCC Programme Officer, Ravindra Sharma, also extended a heartfelt welcome to all the participants attending the camp.
During the event, renowned Kashmiri artist, Masood Hussain, appreciated the organisers for hosting the painting camp in Srinagar. He emphasised that such initiatives play a crucial role in promoting and nurturing the world of art.
He said, “When an artist receives encouragement, the impact of their art extends beyond their own selves.” It benefits not only the artist but also the country and the world at large. When an artist takes up a brush and begins shaping the realms of their imagination onto the canvas, they transcend worldly concerns and immerse themselves in the realm of their art. In such moments, it becomes crucial to support and uplift the artist.”
He further said, “In these camps, when local artists have the opportunity to interact with artists from different states, both parties reap the benefits in their respective artistic domains. Moreover, these encounters offer a unique chance for cultural exchange and understanding.”
Among the participants, junior artists such as Snober Jeelani Shah and Ifra Jan expressed their delight at getting the opportunity to join this prestigious painting camp. They conveyed their excitement about the invaluable experience and knowledge they hoped to gain from this prestigious event.
Snobar, a student of the faculty of fine art at the University of Kashmir, said that she has attended two camps earlier and that they have helped her refine her craft.
Snobar, a student of the Faculty of Fine Art at the University of Kashmir, shared her positive experience, mentioning that she has previously attended two camps, which have greatly contributed to honing her artistic skills. She expressed how these camps have played a significant role in refining her craft.
Ifra Jan, who is attending such a camp for the first time, expressed her excitement about the opportunity to be among celebrated artists. She conveyed her enthusiasm for being a part of this camp, eagerly looking forward to learning from and interacting with established artists.
Notably, the ‘Vitasta Cultural Festival’ carries a significant objective in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visionary concept of ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat’ (One India, Great India), as part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav initiative.
Also, the festival, along with its ongoing pre-events, is to promote cultural exchange, foster mutual understanding, and nurture harmony among diverse regions of India.

KR Desk