Indian Institute of Management Jammu hosts Basohli Painting workshop: Revitalising a 300-Year-Old Artistic Tradition

JAMMU: The Indian Institute of Management Jammu inaugurated a landmark initiative celebrating India’s artistic heritage with the launch of its first-ever Basohli Painting Workshop, bringing the living legacy of this 300-year-old Pahari miniature tradition to the Jagti campus. The workshop honours master practitioners whose techniques, cultural memory, and aesthetic sensibilities continue to sustain one of the earliest schools of Himalayan miniature painting.Prof. B. S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, presided over the inaugural ceremony held at the Mandapam Auditorium.

The event was graced by Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA Jammu; Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Faculty & Research; Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics; Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Chairperson, Ānandam and Media & Publications Division; Brigadier (Retd.) Neeraj Soni, Co-Chairperson, Ānandam; and Cmdr. Kesavan Baskkaran, CAO, IIM Jammu. The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, signifying the pursuit of knowledge, creativity, and renewal.

Organised from 08–14 December 2025 at the Jalpan Kendra, the workshop is an initiative of Ānandam: The Centre for Happiness and the Painting Club, IIM Jammu, in collaboration with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), Regional Centre Jammu. The week-long engagement offers students a rare opportunity to learn directly from GI-tag certified Basohli women artists, custodians of traditional techniques involving natural pigments, handmade paper, sacred iconographic conventions, and intricate linework.

Director’s Address:

In his inaugural remarks, Prof.  B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu drew upon deliberations from the recent BGA Conference in Bali, underscoring the global relevance of preserving and promoting traditional arts. He emphasized that while GI tagging is an important milestone, a more strategic approach to branding, marketing, and global positioning is essential for the sustained recognition of Basohli painting.

Highlighting IIM Jammu’s commitment to cultural stewardship, he noted that numerous traditional artworks were commissioned for the campus during its construction and reaffirmed the Institute’s goal of building a repository of over 500 artworks. Applauding the participation of 91 students and 25 alumni, he encouraged marketing scholars and faculty to collaborate with artist groups to enhance outreach and visibility for this heritage art form. Basohli and Madhubani, he observed, should be seen not merely as regional crafts but as national cultural assets with global resonance.

IGNCA Perspective

Ms. Shruti Awasthi, Regional Director, IGNCA Jammu, reflected on the organisation’s pivotal role in conserving India’s artistic traditions. She described art as a connective force linking communities and generations and underscored the need for robust ecosystems that support both tangible and intangible heritage.

Insights from Master Practitioners

Shri Sohan Singh Billawria, distinguished Basohli artist and internationally recognised custodian of the tradition, offered participants a deep insight into the meticulous techniques of Pahari miniature painting. Emphasising the labour-intensive nature of natural pigments and handcrafted materials, he noted that the intimate scale of Basohli paintings preserves an extraordinary degree of detail. He expressed gratitude to IIM Jammu for creating a platform that brings this living tradition into dialogue with contemporary learners.

Academic Perspectives

Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Faculty & Research, drew attention to the pedagogic value of art in management education, particularly in cultivating creativity, observational acuity, and aesthetic sensitivity.

Prof. Nitin Upadhyay, Dean Academics, framed Basohli art as a visual archive of regional history, spirituality, and cultural memory, highlighting its relevance for holistic and interdisciplinary learning.

Prof. Shyam Narayan Lal, Chairperson, Ānandam, encouraged students and faculty to engage mindfully with India’s artistic traditions, noting Basohli painting’s narrative richness and chromatic vibrancy.

Brigadier (Retd.) Neeraj Soni urged participants to view traditional arts as pathways to connect with India’s deeper cultural identity.

Workshop Trajectory

The workshop will immerse participants in the full creative process: pigment preparation, foundational sketching, stylisation, border motifs, divine iconography, and final detailing. Instruction is led by the Basohli Painting Artists’ Ensemble, including:

• Shri Sohan Singh Billawria(Award-Winning Senior Artist)
• Ms. Rajni Bala (State Awardee)
• Ms. Sonam Jamwal (State Awardee)
• Ms. Aastha Billowaria
• Ms. Shivakshi Sharma
• Ms. Nitika Mehra
• Ms. Simran
• Ms. Ranjali
• Ms. Rekha
• Ms. Kanchan

The formal inauguration of the workshop concluded with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Prof. B.S.Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu alongside the senior Basohli artists.

Cultural and Educational Significance

Basohli paintingdistinguished by bold contours, vibrant natural pigments, and expressive narrative composition, remains a foundational Pahari miniature tradition. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it serves as a repository of regional mythology, devotion, and Himalayan imagination. The workshop advances cultural literacy, supports intangible heritage preservation, and aligns with NEP 2020, which advocates embedding Indian Knowledge Systems within contemporary education.

Through hands-on practice, interactions with master artists, storytelling circles, and documentation support from IGNCA, students participate in a living continuum that preserves and revitalises one of India’s most treasured artistic legacies.

IIM Jammu extends a warm welcome to the Basohli Painting Artists’ Ensemble and invites the community to celebrate this confluence of art, identity, and cultural resurgence—where each brushstroke reflects India’s enduring artistic heritage.