Jammu, January 15: Shri Shakti Pathak, IPS, Director, Anti-Corruption Bureau, Jammu & Kashmir, today graced the concluding day of the five-day Painting Exhibition organised by Kala Kendra, Jammu, to celebrate the illustrious 50-year art journey of eminent artist Shri Bhushan Kesar. The exhibition witnessed participation from forty artists drawn from across Jammu and Kashmir and was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Welcoming the guests and participants, Dr. Javaid Rahi, Secretary, Kala Kendra, Jammu, stated that the exhibition was conceived as a mark of respect and gratitude to Bhushan Kesar, who has devoted the last five decades of his life to teaching and promoting art in Jammu. He informed that as many as 110 artworks were displayed during the exhibition, reflecting diverse themes, styles, and creative expressions.
In his address, Shakti Pathak, IPS, highlighted that art is a powerful medium for representing culture, identity, and collective consciousness. He described Bhushan Kesar as a symbol of struggle, dedication, and consistency, who has made unparalleled contributions to the field of art through teaching and popularising it among generations of learners. He lauded the quality and diversity of the artworks on display and appreciated the efforts of Kala Kendra in organising such a meaningful cultural event. On the occasion, Shri Pathak also formally released the exhibition catalogue.
Ajay Sharma , SP South, also addresses the gathering and praises artists.
Speaking on the occasion, eminent art historian Dr. Lalit Gupta remarked that Bhushan Kesar is one of the leading artists of Jammu & Kashmir, who has spent his entire life imparting art education to amateur groups ranging from the age of four to eighty years. He noted that despite facing health challenges, Bhushan Kesar has continued to contribute immensely to the field of art, leaving a lasting legacy.
The artists whose works were displayed in the exhibition included Ananya Billawaria, Ankush Kesar, Angad Pratap Singh, Arjuman Zamin, Arvinder Kour, Bharti Malhotra, Bhupinder Singh Sasan, Dherve, Dimpal, Dyuti Dibra, Dr. Archana Choudhary, Falak Gupta, Gaurav Kapoor, Heema Naspal, Henna Sayal, Himanshu, Kyna Kesar, Mahua Gupta, Manoj Chopra, Megha Kesar, Megha Khajuria, Monia Kapoor, Mrityunjay Gupta, Naresh Sharma, Neena Sood, Nidhi Jain, Pankhuri Aggarwal, Payal Gupta, Pooja Kapoor, Prakrit Gupta, Pranaya Chadha, Pratham Verma, Priya Johal, Sanjay Sharma, Satnam Kour, Shivli Pandita, Shruti Arora, Sukhwinder Kour, Sumedha Mahajan, and Tanya Mahajan.
The programme concluded with a formal vote of thanks presented by Ankush Kesar.
