Colors of Harmony: IIM Jammu hosts a Live Painting Workshop by eminent and veteran artist Shri Bhushan Kesar under Ānandam: The Center of Happiness, as part of its ongoing ten-year celebrations

JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu, organized a two-day Live Painting Workshop from 8th to 9th November 2025 at the Jagti Campus, conducted by Shri Bhushan Kesar, Senior Artist and Art Educator, Kesar Art Circle, Jammu. The workshop commenced with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony, followed by the first symbolic brushstroke jointly painted by Shri Bhushan Kesar and Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, marking a rare confluence of art, culture, and academia.

Also present on the occasion was Shri Ankush Kesar, his son. As part of IIM Jammu’s 10th Year ongoing Celebrations, this live painting workshop stands as a symbolic reflection of the Institute’s growth. Each brushstroke mirrors the values of creativity, resilience, imagination, harmony, and innovation that define its academic journey.

The workshop was graced by Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean, Faculty and Research; Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Chairperson, Ānandam and Media & Publication; and Prof. Sanjay Gupta, Co-Chairperson, Placements, IIM Jammu; along with other faculty members, officers, staff, and students.The event, organized under Ānandam’s: The Center of Happiness ongoing initiatives to integrate mindfulness and creativity into campus life, witnessed enthusiastic participation from faculty, officers, staff, and students across programs, celebrating art, creativity, and emotional well-being in perfect harmony.

On this momentous occasion, Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, stated that the live workshop is much more than an artistic display; it represents a dialogue between creativity and education. He remarked that eminent and veteran artis Shri Bhushan Kesar’s brushstrokes embody the timeless message of harmony, resilience, and beauty, values that resonate deeply with the ethos of IIM Jammu. He highlighted that hosting this workshop symbolizes IIM Jammu’s commitment to holistic growth, where management education is enriched by culture, art, and the power of imagination.

He shared that IIM Jammu already offers performing arts in its course module, where theatre and dance are being conducted by Padmashri Shri Balwant Thakur, and includes a painting module to be undertaken by Renowned Artist Shri KK Gandhi. This initiative, he added, beautifully blends art, culture, and academia, providing students and the IIM Jammu fraternity with a rare opportunity to learn directly from an acclaimed artist whose work has inspired generations and reflected the cultural vibrancy of Jammu and Kashmir.

He emphasized that the vision is not merely to acquire paintings but to encourage students to actively participate and co-create alongside the artist, with their artwork displayed at IIM Jammu. He announced plans to organize a weeklong Basohli Art Workshop at IIM Jammu and an International Painting Consortium in the month of January 2026, a creative and artistic journey featuring nationally and internationally renowned painters from across India and the globe. He reiterated that painting is not only a medium to express creativity and soul but also a powerful stress buster that fosters balance and inspiration for all.

The two-day workshop formed an integral part of Ānandam’s: The Center of Happiness ongoing efforts to weave creativity, mindfulness, and well-being into campus life. Under the expert guidance of Shri Bhushan Kesar, participants engaged in live demonstrations and hands-on exercises exploring the beauty of colors, the rhythm of brushstrokes, and the meditative process of creation. The session invited students to experience the joy of painting not just as an art form, but as an inward journey that harmonizes thought, emotion, and imagination.Eminent and Veteran Artist Shri Bhushan Kesar also toured the IIM Jammu campus including Mandapam Auditorium, Tejas Sports Complex, Smart Classrooms, Clock Tower and Nalanda Library.

Shri Bhushan Kesar, eminent and veteran artist and art educator, emphasized that the central objective of this unique initiative is to forge a profound and meaningful connection between the students and the world of art. Through this immersive experience, students engaged directly with him in what proved to be an inspiring exploration of painting, creativity, and imagination. Over the course of the two-day live workshop, students not only observed and interacted but also learned the nuances of artistic expression and creative interpretation.

The artworks created during this period will become part of a permanent collection, destined to grace the IIM Jammu campus and stand as a testament to the confluence of talent, vision, and learning. He expressed his gratitude for the warm reception at IIM Jammu and shared his belief that art transcends language, it speaks directly to the heart. He noted that through painting, one learns to observe deeply, reflect silently, and express freelyqualities essential for both artists and future leaders. He along with his son Ankush guided students through live painting sessions and interactive exercises designed to awaken their creative potential and appreciation for the subtle dialogue between colour, form, and emotion.

The workshop’s outcomespaintings created by students under Shri Kesar’s mentorshipwill be showcased at forthcoming art and cultural events at IIM Jammu. Each artwork will serve as a reflection of the institute’s philosophy: where management education meets mindfulness, and intellect blends with imagination.

Drawing inspiration from IIM Jammu’s earlier landmark initiative, the three-day Live Painting Workshop by internationally acclaimed artist Shri Kamlesh K. Gandhi (“Nature Man”), this two-day workshop by Shri Bhushan Kesar continues the Institute’s artistic legacy. Such initiatives exemplify IIM Jammu’s enduring commitment to holistic learning, celebrating creativity as a cornerstone of leadership and emotional intelligence.

Art-centered engagements under Ānandam: The Centre for Happiness reinforce IIM Jammu’s belief that management education must extend beyond classrooms to encompass self-expression, empathy, and balance. As part of IIM Jammu’s ongoing ten-year celebrations, such initiatives continue to enrich its cultural fabric and serve as living expressions of its motto, “Creating Leaders with a Heart.”