Basohli Utsav 2nd Edition (2024)

In the first fortnight of October 2024, the second Basohli Utsav was organized, an event originally conceived in 2023 by the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA). The first five-day Basohli Utsav took place from 18th to 22nd October 2023. Developed with an academic perspective in collaboration with the Divisional Administration Jammu, Vishwasthali, and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, the festival aimed to instill a sense of pride in local art, culture, and heritage.

Through this celebration, the Ramleela of Basohli, which has been performed for over 112 years, received renewed recognition. Various elements of folk culture were identified and brought to life through artistic representations.

The festival also aimed to showcase the ancient art, culture, and heritage of the Basohli Bani region of Jammu Division on a global platform. The fading legacy and rich traditions of the area were presented to the world, with IGNCA playing a significant role in this research initiative in collaboration with Vishwasthali. A large number of young participants attended the festival and pledged to preserve their cultural heritage.

The Basohli Utsav of October 2024 continued the vision of presenting the art, culture, and heritage of Basohli to a wider audience while also exploring ways to develop the town as a cultural tourism destination. To support this annual event, the Department of Culture and the Department of Handicrafts and Handloom also participated. During the programme, Basohli’s Ramleela, counted among the oldest in the country, celebrated its 113th anniversary. The performance was documented and preserved in audiovisual format, reflecting the deep attachment of local people to their traditions and heritage.

The Basohli Utsav 2024 featured a vibrant mix of academic, cultural, and recreational activities. Academic and technical sessions by renowned scholars and experts explored Basohli’s architecture, history, dynasties, temple heritage, digital marketing, and sustainable tourism. Exhibitions showcased themes such as pottery traditions, Ramleela, influential women, temples and forts of Jammu, and the Ravi River. Students actively participated in competitions like kabaddi, sintolia, rassa kashi, painting, essay writing, shlok recitation, and storytelling. Cultural performances, including folk dances, songs, and Ramleela, added charm, while workshops on Basohli painting preserved traditional techniques. These activities together highlighted the town’s heritage, creativity, and community spirit.