LONDON: The rich cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir was showcased at India’s Independence Day celebrations in London, organised by the High Commission of India in collaboration with Indian organisations, including Voice of Dogras.
The cultural showcase drew considerable interest from visitors keen to learn more about the region’s history, traditions, handicrafts and tourism destinations.
According to the organisers, there was particularly strong interest in travel to Vaishno Devi and Katra, among the best-known pilgrimage destinations in the Jammu region.
The exhibition featured a wide range of traditional arts, crafts, textiles and jewellery representing Jammu, the wider Jammu region and Kashmir.
Among the highlights were Basohli Pahari painting, Samba calico work, traditional Dogri suits, Gojri jewellery, jewellery from Paddar in Kishtwar, Kashmir papier-mâché, Aari work, Kashmiri Tilla embroidery, besides a special feature on the Vaishno Devi Shrine.
The organisers said the exhibits reflected the distinct artistic traditions and cultural diversity of Jammu and Kashmir while showcasing the craftsmanship and creativity of artisans and craft communities from the region.
Alongside handicrafts and textiles, the display also featured photographs of the Dogra Maharajas, highlighting their role in the history and development of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The exhibition also paid tribute to military figures General Zorawar Singh Kalhuria and Brigadier Rajinder Singh, recalling their historical contributions to Jammu and Kashmir.
The showcase sought to provide visitors with an opportunity to engage with the living heritage of Jammu and Kashmir and gain a deeper understanding of its cultural traditions, history and tourism potential.
Speaking on the occasion, Voice of Dogras representatives in the UK, Manu Khajuria and Anirudh Sawhney, stressed the importance of taking the region’s heritage to international audiences and creating greater awareness about its crafts, history, pilgrimage routes and cultural identity.
They said such platforms could help promote Jammu and Kashmir’s cultural traditions and introduce its artisan heritage and tourism potential to a wider global audience.
The participation of Jammu and Kashmir at the celebrations also highlighted the cultural links between India and the United Kingdom while providing a platform for promoting the region’s heritage, tourism and traditional crafts in London.
Voice of Dogras said it remains engaged in promoting and preserving the cultural heritage, history, traditions and identity of the Dogra community and the wider Jammu region.
