Inaugurates Kashmir Heritage Exhibition Omar speaks high of State’s heritage Cultural Academy opens window for people to know history SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 18: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday spoke very high of State’s heritage, art and crafts describing these living celebrities telling ancient stories of a rich civilization and marvellous workmanship of the people of this heavenly beautiful land. Inaugurating two day Kashmir Heritage Exhibition in Lal Mandi on the bank of river Jehlum here, the Chief Minister said that the artists, craftsman, calligraphists, painters, artisans, musicians, writers, poets and scholars have depicted State’s cultural diversity living in unity, beautifully through their skill and craftsmanship. Omar Abdullah said that the items of art, craft, costume, musical instruments, Manuscripts, archaeology, images, paintings, household items, photographs and other memorabilia placed in the exhibition organized by J&K Cultural Academy in association with Departments of Archives, Handicrafts and NGOs, are taking a viewer back to earlier periods of history and narrate the status of people in various fields of art and literature. The Chief Minister highlighted the role of such exhibitions to make people in general and younger generation in particular aware of the State’s rich heritage, culture, literature and mesmerizing craftsmanship. “The people in old days despite so many short comings of resources and raw material have used locally available wood, willow, clay, zinc, copper, stone and other such objects artistically and wisely to produce artefacts of everlasting relevance”, he said and asked the Cultural Academy to organize more such exhibitions in the State at various places. The Chief Minister asked the students to visit such exhibitions and enrich their knowledge of history, heritage, people, their status, life style and workmanship of highest quality. The Meeras Sopore, National Bhand Theatre Wathoor and Nostalgic Kashmir have contributed in the exhibitions by providing items of historic importance. The Secretary Cultural Academy, Khalid Bashir welcomed the Chief Minister who is also President of the Academy, at the exhibition. He explained the memorabilia displayed in the exhibition and presented resume of the new initiatives taken by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages to preserve the State’s heritage and promote art, literature and culture and languages of the State. The Chief Minister evinced keen interest in the exhibition and spent about 45 minutes looking at and knowing about each object. Appreciating the exhibition and the rich collection on display, the Chief Minister wrote on the Visitors’ Book, “An excellent collection combining both private collection and treasures of the Academy. Walking through the displays one gets an idea of diverse history and culture of Kashmir. This exhibition is a small display of what Kashmir and Kashmiriyat is all about.” He wished the organizers and contributors all success. “The exposition is a window to our past and allows people, especially the young generation, to see the life and events in old Kashmir”, said Secretary Academy, Khalid Bashir Ahmad. He said most of the things used by people in old times and have either vanished or are slowly disappearing from the scene are at display giving. He said similar exhibitions will be held about Jammu and Ladakh heritage. The exhibition at Jammu will be held in December and the one at Leh at a subsequent date. Pertinent to recall that due to the onslaught of modern times most of our heritage has been lost and many traditions, customs and costumes have died out or are slowly disappearing from the scene. With this background, the exhibition assumes great significance as it generates interest among the people about the past and helps in the preservation of the rich cultural traditions of Kashmir. At display are rare photographs of old Kashmir, wood, willow, earthen, metal and stone craft, grass works, costumes, ornaments, archaeological finds, calligraphy specimen and rare manuscripts including the 12th century calligraphed copy of the holy Quran, Bhagwana Geeta in Sharda script. A cross section of the society including youth and students of different educational institutions visited the exhibition on the inaugural day. Gyanpeet awardee and prominent Kashmiri poet, Raham Rahi said that “The exhibition has unveiled old Kashmir before my eyes”. He described the displays has very important for an introduction with the past. They were highly impressed with the displays. Prominent writer of Dogri, Prof. Nilambar Dev Sharma, described the exhibition as “a stimulating experience”, adding that “one gets rare glimpse of the past of Kashmir- rich diverse and all embracing”. The exhibition will be open on Thursday also from 10.30 AM to 4. 30 AM.
Posted on: Wed, 18 Sep 2013 12:37:56 +0000