STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The historic Amar Mahal Palace to host the 4th edition of the Tawi Festival of Arts and Culture, scheduled from 13th to 15th March, showcasing the rich cultural heritage and artistic diversity of Jammu & Kashmir.
The festival and mela are jointly organised by the Hari Tara Charitable Trust (HTCT) and the erstwhile Dogra Royal Family of Jammu & Kashmir.
The announcement was made at a press conference on Tuesday by Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Director of the Amar Mahal Museum.
Dr. Singh highlighted that the festival offers a multifaceted programme, including seminars, workshops, interactive talks, folk music and street theatre performances, classical and folk dance, along with a vibrant mela. The mela focuses on promoting entrepreneurship, local innovation, organic products, handicrafts, and regional cuisines, sourced from NGOs and artisans across the Himalayan region.
Dr. Singh emphasized that Jammu & Kashmir’s cultural richness, encompassing diverse languages, music, architecture, and folk traditions, remains underexplored. The festival aims to create greater local and national awareness, providing a platform for artists, craftsmen, and cultural enthusiasts to engage with visitors.
A distinctive feature of the festival includes art camps, immersive workshops, and exhibitions, where artists, particularly those associated with the Basohli School of painting, demonstrate their traditional techniques and interact with audiences, offering insights into their creative processes.
The 4th edition of the Tawi Festival will see active collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, Institute of Music & Fine Arts Jammu, INTACH Jammu, and Kala Kendra Jammu, strengthening the cultural fabric of the event. Dr. Singh expressed gratitude to these institutions for their support in promoting heritage, arts, and culture in the region.
“The Tawi Festival is more than a celebration of arts; it is a platform to connect communities, preserve heritage, and encourage creative entrepreneurship,” Dr. Singh said. She added that the festival is expected to attract local residents, tourists, artists, and cultural scholars, providing an immersive experience of Jammu’s artistic and cultural legacy.
The festival will also include opportunities for visitors to participate in workshops, explore artisan stalls, and enjoy live performances, making it a key cultural highlight of the year in Jammu.