Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 20: Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums in collaboration with Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) celebrated the ongoing ‘World Heritage Week’ at Mubarak Mandi, the royal residence of erstwhile Dogra Rulers of J&K, here today.
Padma Shri Prof RK Sinha, Vice Chancellor, SMVDU was the chief guest on the occasion.
Pradeep Kumar, Director, Department of Archives, Archaeology and Museums J&K, the students and faculty of SMVDU visited the ‘Dogra Art Museum’ to explore and learn about armoury, schools of miniature paintings, manuscripts, jewellery, coins, handicrafts and handlooms of the glorious history of J&K.
It was followed by a ‘Heritage Baithak’, which had eminent speakers including Prof RK Sinha and Dr Lalit Gupta, discussing heritage, particularly of Jammu region, in varying contexts and establishing a conscious community.
Prof. Sinha emphasized the need of appreciating the heritage of India and exhorted the students to develop keen interest in the rich heritage and culture. “Interestingly, Jammu region has antiquities from Harappan civilisation, Kushan to the present Dogra rulers,” he added.
Prof Sinha appreciated the efforts of the Department of Archives Archaeology and Museums, J&K for providing the opportunity to the students for learning about the rich heritage of the Jammu region.
Nagendra Singh Jamwal, Registrar SMVDU, also laid emphasis on the propagation of information about culture and heritage, and their conservation, while Dr Sangeeta Sharma, Assistant Director, and Mukul Magotra, Curator, Dogra Art Museum guided the students and guests as they toured the Royal complex.
The participants evinced great interest in the Basohli miniature paintings whose significance and intricacies were explained by Mukul Magotra.
Dr Sangeeta added, “In addition to the event with SMVDU today, there’s an ongoing special exhibition in the Dogra Art Museum to commemorate World Heritage Week. It is being thronged by academicians, heritage enthusiasts, and art lovers.”
The scintillating folk performance by Ram Ditta and party in the central park of the Royal complex inspired the audience with a new zeal and love for their intangible cultural heritage.
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