JAMMU: The iconic heritage and tourism landmark of Jammu, Amar Mahal, is set to host its annual Tawi Festival of Arts and Culture from March 13 to 15 at the historic Amar Mahal Palace, Jammu.
Now in its fourth edition, the Tawi Festival and Mela is jointly organised by the Hari Tara Charitable Trust (HTCT) and the erstwhile Dogra Royal Family of Jammu & Kashmir, and has emerged as a major cultural celebration of the region.
Dr. Jyotsna Singh, Director of the Amar Mahal Museum and the visionary behind the inception of the Tawi Festival, said the event will feature a rich and diverse programme, including seminars, workshops, talks, folk music and street theatre performances, classical and folk dance and music, alongside a vibrant cultural Mela.
She said the Mela will place special emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, local cuisines, organic products and crafts, with participation from NGOs and artisans across the Himalayan region.
Highlighting the cultural significance of the festival, Dr. Jyotsna Singh noted that the vast diversity of languages, culture, architecture and music of the region remains underexplored, and the festival seeks to foster greater appreciation and awareness, both locally and beyond.
She added that art camps, immersive workshops and exhibitions form an integral part of the festival. Artists associated with the Basohli School, supported by the Amar Mahal Museum, will demonstrate their techniques and interact with visitors, offering insight into their creative processes.
Dr. Jyotsna Singh further said that the fourth edition of the Tawi Festival will see collaborations with the J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, the Institute of Music & Fine Arts, Jammu, INTACH Jammu and Kala Kendra Jammu, expressing gratitude for the continued support of these cultural and heritage institutions.
Martand Singh, Trustee of HTCT and grandson of Maharaja Dr. Karan Singh, said the Tawi Festival has steadily evolved into a vibrant cultural platform celebrating the artistic, cultural and heritage traditions of the region.
Recalling the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Amar Mahal Museum last year, he noted that the occasion marked 50 years of the Museum and Library and was graced by the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir and the Union Minister for Culture and Tourism, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, highlighting the institution’s national significance.
He added that since its inauguration in 1975, the Amar Mahal Museum has grown into a prominent centre for tourism, art, culture, heritage, history and the Dogra legacy of Jammu & Kashmir, with the Hari Tara Charitable Trust continuing to actively support socio-cultural initiatives across the region.
