Kaps1As a part of its outreach programme, the enthusiastic members of DLS volunteered in organising the Nain Sukh painting competition in Dharamshala town on 3rd Oct, 2015. A total number of 114 students participated from 16 schools from Dharamshala region. The Honourable Chief Guest Sh. Balbir Tegta (Chairman H.P. Board of School Education Dharamshala) was delighted on his presence at the event and congratulated all the participants. The participants were given awareness about the process of creating a Kangra painting – starting from the type of colour used and how it is derived from natural objects to the preparation of the special paper on which these paintings are made. 

 

Kangra Arts Promotion Society (KAPS), is an NGO working for the promotion of arts of the greater Kangra region which comprises the current district of Kangra and surrounding areas that were once ruled by the Kangra Dynasty. Kangra was a flourishing empire and a renowned center of culture for the last millennium. It went in decline after the invasion of Mahmud of Gazhni in 1009. A revival started in late 14th century and the arts of Kangra reached their peak of glory with Kangra Miniature Paintings in the 18th century.

 

7The purpose of KAPS is to ensure that the tradition of Kangra Paintings and other arts passes on to the future generations. Currently very few genuine “disciples” of old Kangra Schools (Gharana) survive. Many of them work in obscurity and live on meager earnings though associations with temples or sales to tourists of cheap reproductions. The genuine Kangra (like Mughal and Rajasthani) paintings are made with natural colors from stones and plants on acid-free paper prepared in a special way. Even the brushes are made in a very unique way from the hair of squirrels and bird feathers. A genuine Miniature painting usually has tremendous amount of detail (such as distinct leaves on trees and individual grass fronds) and can take weeks and even months to complete. The commercial versions are knocked out with common paints and papers in a matter of hours.

Know more about Kangra Arts : http://kangraarts.org/