An official press release detailed Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s vision for Basohli as a destination that brings together artists, writers and scholars from across the world for meaningful exchange. Sinha congratulated the Department of Culture, Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts, Vishwasthali NGO, Divisional Commissioner and District Administration on their organisation of the fourth edition of the festival. The Lieutenant Governor appreciated the people of Basohli for their contribution to elevating the event to new heights, the release added.
Sinha described Basohli as deeply rooted in its traditions while recognised for its imagination and creativity, according to the press release. He indicated that the Utsav seeks to establish the town among the cultural capitals of the country. The message stressed that sustained efforts would be needed to realise its emergence as a vibrant centre of art and literature.
The Basohli Utsav 2026 ran from October 19 to October 21 and featured a half marathon that drew nearly 500 participants, a UNI report indicated. Cultural performances of Geet Govind at the park behind the old fort, traditional Dam Chokdi community events in Mandi Mohalla and a bike ride from Jammu to Basohli highlighted the programme. Health awareness sessions, adventure sports and messaging around a drug-free society also formed part of the celebrations.
The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts organised an exhibition on Shakti Parampara at Rani Talab, a seminar on Geet Govindam and a Seekho Takri workshop to promote the local script, the centre reported. A Youth Parliament at the iconic Basohli Fort engaged students in democratic procedures while a collaborative display with the Jal Jeevan Mission focused on water conservation. These activities blended artistic, literary, educational and environmental themes to attract diverse audiences.
Art historians trace the origins of the Basohli school of miniature painting to around 1660, with early works such as illustrated Rasamanjari series attributed to painters including Kripal of Nurpur and his son Devidasa. The style is distinguished by bold primary colours on flat backgrounds, large intense eyes, strong outlines and the use of beetle-wing fragments to represent emeralds in jewellery depictions. Scholarly accounts from institutions such as the Cleveland Museum of Art position this tradition as the earliest distinct school of Pahari painting that flourished through the mid-18th century.
The Lieutenant Governor had laid the foundation for the Basohli Art Gallery, named SAHKI, along with a new building for Chudamani Sanskrit Sansthan in the area in 2021, according to previous administrative records published by The Kashmir Horizon. Such steps have supported efforts to preserve the town’s artistic and linguistic heritage while promoting it as a tourism destination. The latest message extends this trajectory by calling for Basohli to serve as an international platform for creative dialogue.
IGNCA documentation showed that the festival incorporated initiatives for women’s empowerment through cultural narratives and linguistic preservation among younger generations. Organisers coordinated with local authorities to ensure wide participation from residents, students and visitors across the region. The event underscored Basohli’s role in broader initiatives to promote Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural legacy on national and global stages.
