Basohli Utsav 1st Edition (2023)

Basohli Utsav 2023 is the starting point in the rediscovery of our fading culture and hidden heritage, which we had left behind decades ago. In 2023, the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), for the first time, in collaboration with the Jammu Division and the Jammu & Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL), conceptualized this festival with the aim of instilling a sense of pride in our culture and heritage.

In the second fortnight of October 2023, a five-day Basohli Utsav was organized, which saw enthusiastic participation from the local community. The festival became a confluence of folk artists, who presented their performances with great fervor. Through extensive research, several practices and traditions were identified that were once an integral part of our culture but had gradually faded away. The Basohli Utsav was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha. Its popularity can be gauged from the fact that the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, prominently mentioned it in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ program.

During the festival, a diverse range of activities were organized, showcasing participation from school students to elderly scholars, as well as from artists to skilled artisans. The events featured student competitions in dance, painting, and public speaking, providing young minds with a platform to express their creativity. Alongside these, thematic exhibitions were set up at Purthu, highlighting the renowned tradition of Basohli painting, the distinctive crafts of the Banni Basohli Billawar region, and an informative showcase on the history and cultural richness of Basohli. Cultural performances also added vibrancy to the festival, with local artists spanning from young children to a 95-year-old veteran performer presenting traditional art forms. These included Masade, Geetdu, Bhaakh, and several other folk expressions, reflecting the enduring spirit and diversity of the region’s heritage.