SHIMLA, Oct 15: Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta on Thursday unveiled a bust of former President Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and inaugurated a permanent gallery showcasing Kangra miniature paintings at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS) in Shimla.
The ceremonies took place on the concluding day of the institute’s diamond jubilee celebrations at Rashtrapati Niwas. Radhakrishnan, a distinguished philosopher and former President of India, was instrumental in the establishment of the institute.
The newly inaugurated gallery, titled Kangra Kalam: The Pahari Miniature Art Gallery, aims to preserve and promote the traditional artistic heritage of Himachal Pradesh while introducing visitors to the region’s distinctive cultural identity.
Addressing the occasion, Gupta appreciated the initiative and said the exhibition would contribute significantly to safeguarding the region’s historical, civilisational and cultural traditions. He described the gallery as a valuable addition that would help preserve the artistic legacy of the Himalayan region, according to an official statement.
The exhibition is based on the theme Folk and Rural Imagery in Kangra Miniatures: An Indigenous Indian Art Perspective. It presents different aspects of Pahari life through miniature paintings depicting rural occupations, folk music, traditional customs, community practices and the close relationship between people and their natural surroundings.
The governor expressed confidence that the permanent collection would attract visitors from across India and overseas, offering them an opportunity to explore the cultural traditions and artistic achievements of the Himalayan region.
He also released a book titled Folk and Rural Imagery in Kangra Miniatures: An Indigenous Indian Art Perspective, which examines the representation of folk traditions and rural life in Kangra paintings.
Interacting with journalists, Gupta described Kangra miniature paintings as an important expression of the region’s civilisation, history and cultural identity. He noted that the artistic traditions of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand shared several cultural and civilisational connections.
These commonalities, he said, could be seen in the paintings and other traditional art forms that have evolved across the Himalayan belt.
The region reflects a rich blend of ancient artistic practices and contemporary painting traditions, highlighting the continuity of its cultural heritage across generations.
The inauguration of the gallery marks an effort to bring Himachal Pradesh’s artistic legacy to a wider audience while strengthening awareness of Pahari culture, community life and indigenous art forms.