Jalandhar April 5 (Jaswinder Singh Azad)- On the occasion of 6th Rajeshwari Kala Maja and Golden Jubilee Celebrations of Rajeshwari Kala Sangam & Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar around 250 students learnt the nuances of various art forms in depth in the Workshops being conducted on 11 different art forms.
Expressing her views about these workshops, Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia (Chairman, Apeejay Education; Chairman, Apeejay Stya and Svran Group; Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University) said that Rajeshwari Kala Sangam, which has now blossomed as Apeejay College of Fine Arts, has organised these workshops for people of all ages, starting from 10 years of age, with the motto of preserving, promoting Fine arts accessible to the masses.
She said we wish to inculcate cultural traditions and artistic richness in the budding artists from a young age along with human values and sensibility towards art. She added Dr. Stya Paul, the Founder Chairman of Apeejay Education was a firm believer that art sensitizes humans while safeguarding their emotional quotient.
In these workshops, Padma Shree awardee and Internationally renowned Shri Vijay Sharma introduced the students to the technique of Pahari miniature painting and said that through this art form we depict the cultural activities and festivals of the hills.
National awardee Shri Manoj Kumar Chaudhary gave information about Madhubani painting
National awardee Shri Manoj Kumar Chaudhary gave information about Madhubani painting method to the students and shared – “this is our traditional form of painting and we can use it on canvas as well as fabric.”
Renowned Gond artist Shri Rajendra Kumar Shyam introduced the students to Gond art and taught them that through this art form we may express folk customs and the beauty of nature that narrates a story. He added that with the changing times, contemporary topics are also being made the basis of Gond art.
Odisha’s renowned artist Mr. Purna Chandra Ghosh who is leaving no stones unturned to keep the ancient textile art alive gave information about traditional appliqué work to the students He also introduced the students to the beauty of Odisha’s craft heritage.
Mr. Anil Chaitya Vangad gave information about Warli painting
Maharashtra’s renowned Warli painting artist, Mr. Anil Chaitya Vangad gave information about Warli painting where he beautifully depicts village life, folk art and mythology through geometric shapes of 1200-year-old tribal art and he also introduced the students to these forms so that Warli art can be preserved by handing it over to the future generation.
Mr. Suman Pekua, a talented pottery artist from Kolkata, strives to keep India’s rich ceramic tradition alive. He taught the students the technique of creating new designs in pottery by blending the techniques and beauty of traditional and contemporary pottery.
Mr. Hirabhai Tejasibhai from Kutch, Gujarat, who is the 18th generation of Kharad Weaver, gave information about Kharad Weaving to the students and introduced them to the technique of making traditional woolen carpets. He told students that the designs and motifs of Kharad Weaving are inspired by the desert and the usage of natural colours to dye the thread.
Rana Chandra Sahoo, a Patachitra and Palm Leaf Engraving Artist from Odisha, who is skilled in Patachitra engraving on both cloth and palm leaf also was one of the Resource persons of these workshops. He taught the students how we can create a beautiful picture through Patachitra expressing mythological and religious stories
State honoured Wood Inlay artist from Hoshiarpur, Mr. Shammi Lal is making every effort to keep the 250-year-old tradition of wood inlay alive in Hoshiarpur. While teaching the same art form, he shared with the students that patience and creativity are required to acquire expertise in wood inlay.
Mr. Balbir Singh, a highly experienced wood carving master craftsman from Hoshiarpur of Punjab explained the rich heritage of Hoshiarpur
Mr. Balbir Singh, a highly experienced wood carving master craftsman from Hoshiarpur of Punjab explained the rich heritage of Hoshiarpur to the students and said that we can incorporate new designs along with traditional designs in wood inlay and crafts.
Ms. Aadya Jain, alumnus of Apeejay College alumnus introduced the students to the traditional hand block printing technique.
The students also won the prizes for making the best fine art pieces. Jaskirat Kaur (MA Fine Arts, ACFA) won 1st prize for Miniature Painting and won cash prize of Rs. 5000, Gurmehak Kaur (BFA Sem 8th, ACFA) won second prize and won cash prize for Rs. 3000 for Gond Art and Aashi Sharma (B.Voc. Product Design Sem 4th, ACFA) for Inlay Work and won cash prize of Rs. 2000.
Along with them, Consolation Prizes were bagged by Kashika Anand (Bachelor of Design, ACFA) for Kharar weaving, Kumkum Kumari for Applique work, Rasgun (Bachelor of Design, ACFA) for Patch work, Yashika (Lyallpur Khalsa College) for Block printing, Tarannum (ACFA) for Warli art, Pooja (Nehru Garden School) for Madhubani painting, Pratima (Bachelor of Fine Arts, ACFA) for Pottery, and Megha (Bachelor of Design – Multimedia, ACFA) for Pattachitra.
The last day of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations was dedicated to Singing
The last day of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations was dedicated to Singing where Indian Classical and Semi-classical singing competitions were organized in which students from various districts of Punjab and other states participated.
The jury in these competitions were Prof. C.L. Verma, Former Dean and Head, Department of Music, Himachal Pradesh University, Shimla; Ustad Danish Aslam, disciple of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan Saheb and Indore Gharana and Dr. Anadi Mishra, Singer, Composer and Musician.
In Classical Music Vocal, Padmakar Kashyap won the first prize
The winners of these competitions constitute – In Classical Music Vocal, Padmakar Kashyap won the first prize and cash prize of Rs. 10,000 and Palashpriya Das won the second prize and cash prize of Rs. 5000 and in Semi Classical and Sufi Music, Shivam Chauhan won 1st prize and cash prize of 10k, Plashpriya Das won 2nd prize and cash prize of Rs. 5000.
Rtd. Major General Balwinder Singh, President, INTACH (The Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage) was present as the Chief Guest at the Valedictory Ceremony of these Golden Jubilee Celebrations. Dr. Sucharita Sharma, Director, Apeejay Education and Dr. Neerja Dhingra, Principal of Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar felicitated him with a bouquet. Expressing her views at the Closing Ceremony, Principal Dr. Neerja Dhingra said, “I give the whole credit for the success of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations and Rajeshwari Kala Mahotsav to Dr. Sucharita Sharma.
It was she who worked hard day and night with strong determination and idealistic thinking that this festival touched the heights of success. She added the success of this Rajeshwari Kala Mahotsav made our Madam Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia (Chairman, Apeejay Education; Chairman, Apeejay Stya and Svran Group; Chancellor, Apeejay Stya University) declare that this shall become an annual feature now in which internationally renowned artists from various fields will be invited so that our students get guidance from them and become leaders in the field of art.
Mrs. Sushma Paul Berlia and Dr. Neha Berlia praised the efforts of Dr. Sucharita Sharma, Director, Apeejay Education and Dr. Neeja Dhingra, Principal, Apeejay College of Fine Arts, Jalandhar for successfully organizing the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in such a grandeur manner and making it memorable for years to come.