BIKANER (RAJASTHAN):
The distinctiveness and vibrancy of miniature and fresco paintings of Bikaner, spectacularly delineated in a renowned artist’s studio, and the stories around the city’s pompous celebration of Holi will be brought out in bold relief in a series of curated events as part of the ongoing India Heritage Walk Festival (IHWF).
Bikaner is among 20 cities hosting the month-long, multi-city IHWF 2018 organised jointly by Sahapedia (sahapedia.org), an online encyclopedia of Indian arts and culture, and Yes Culture, the cultural division of Yes Global Institute, a practising think tank of Yes Bank, to encourage citizens to explore the tangible and intangible heritage of their cities and towns.
Of the two walks organised in the city as part of the festival, the first walk on Sunday (February 11) will bring the participants to the acclaimed artist Mahaveer Swami’s studio where he wields his brush with great felicity on the palette to produce miniature paintings.
Distinct from other parts of Rajasthan, the Bikaner style of miniature painting is often inspired by Indian mythology. Swami, who involves in his works innovative experimentation with styles and subjects, has been practising miniature painting for decades and has exhibited his work across the world, including Korea, Japan, France and some other European countries. This walk promises to take the people on a journey of appreciation of the artist’s spectacular workmanship and expertise with the brush.
In the other walk, to be held on Sunday (February 25), walk leader Gopal Singh Chouhan, in his inimitable style, will explore and narrate the stories about the city’s Holi festival, which is celebrated with pomp and grandeur, complete with religious rites, music, dance, folk performances and colourful costumes. Though Bikaner celebrates several festivals throughout the year, Holi stands out for its uniqueness in the city known for its ancient havelis, traditional food, fairs and festivals.
Chouhan, a Bikaner-based young cultural activist, works on the conservation and promotion of literary heritage and folk music traditions of the region through creative festivals, events and projects under the aegis of the NGO Lokayan.
Details about the walks and other programmes of IHWF 2018, map routes and registration information are available on http://www.indiaheritagewalkfestival.com
Vaibhav Chauhan, Festival Director (IHWF) and Secretary, Sahapedia, says, ‘The India Heritage Walk Festival 2018 is a celebration of all that Sahapedia stands for. In an attempt to create authentic, credible, and exhaustive content on our rich heritage and culture, we are developing a network of cultural practitioners across the country. This festival is a part of this pan-India movement, making heritage spaces more popular, more accessible, and more experiential. This is exactly why the festival tries to involve people from various walks of life with a range of thematic experiences covered through the walks, and caters to as many people as possible.’
Rana Kapoor, MD & CEO, Yes Bank and Chairman, Yes Global Institute, says “India is blessed with a rich heritage and cultural history, which is abundantly manifested in monuments and architectural sites across our country. Civil society participation in our Nation’s heritage, aided by activities such as heritage walks, is integral to the preservation and conservation of these sites. Such heritage tourism initiatives, with the wholeheartedparticipation and involvement of local communities and citizens, have the potential to instill immense national pride and further the agenda of heritage development,”
Preeti Sinha, Glocal Convenor, Yes Global Institute, says, “The understanding of heritage in 21st century India has expanded from the protection of historic buildings and monuments to focus on more general understanding of the wider context and preservation of tangible and intangible cultural forms. Through active engagement with built, natural and living heritage through the design of walks, talks, and digital media such as films and social forums, the festival is a touchstone for conscious thinking towards formulating historically-sensitive policy and decision making.”
IHWF 2018, covering 20 cities and towns around the country, features walks to historical monuments and shrines, well-known landscapes, places known for art and culture, cuisine and flourishing trade. There is an online film festival of documentaries based on cultural themes and lecture series curated as Baithaks and Instameets as part of nearly 70 events scheduled throughout the month.
