Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage (INTACH), Jammu Chapter organized one day workshop on Heritage wall paintings, here at Tourist Reception Centre.Minister of State for Education, Culture and Information Priya Sethi was chief guest on the valedictory function of the workshop.She released a documentary on wall paintings. The documentary has been prepared by the INTACH with support from the J&K Tourism Department.Underscoring on resolve of the government to preserve cultural heritage, Priya Sethi said the State is famous for its cultural diversity and all out efforts would be made to conserve and preserve the rich heritage. She said the Government would utilize the expertise of organizations like INTACH for preserving and reviving the cultural heritage of the state. “I congratulate INTACH for the work they have been doing all across the country and particularly in the state to generate consciousness among the masses about preserving and conserving cultural heritage,” she added.
The Minister said wall paintings are testimony of the glorious past of the State in which art and culture prospered in spite of hurdles and lack of resources. She said temples and old heritage buildings in the State are famous for their wall paintings and restoration works are underway to protect these paintings.She said restoring and renovating old heritage sites would also attract more tourists and the state’s economy would get a boost.Convenor, Jammu Chapter INTACH S.M. Sahni welcomed the delegates and participants to the workshop and gave a resume of the activities. He also detailed about future initiatives of INTACH. Principal Director, Indian Council of Conservation Institutes, INTACH Nilabh Sinha delivered the inaugural address.
Ms Sopia, Wall painting consultant, Sushant Rana and Rajiv Chowdhary conducted technical sessions using audio-visual presentations on conservation techniques.Over 40 participants comprising of academicians, students, art enthusiasts, members of civil society and artists drawn from Kishtwar, Udhampur, Poonch, Rajouri, Kathua, Samba and Jammu attended the workshop.A field visit to Panjbakhtar Mahadev temple was also conducted for practical exposure to the participants. Director, Command Area Development and Co-convenor INTACH, Jammu chapter Hemant Kumar Sharma gave vote of thanks.Eminent Environmentalist Dr. C.M. Seth, Prof Lalit Gupta, Prof Anita Billawria, Prof Sudhir Singh, Anil Paba, Bharat Bhushan, , Ms Anuradha Seth, Ms Suvidha Khanna, members of INTACH Jammu chapter and prominent citizens were present on the occasion.