Shekhawati: Rajasthan’s heritage district – Ramgarh- Shekhawati — once a vibrant enclave of cultural richness patronized by the aristocratic Poddar Seths, came alive during the Vedaaranya Heritage and Healing (VHAH) Festival from Feb 13-17.
The ninth edition of the annual festival brought together an eclectic congregation of feted artists, performers, healers and art lovers from across the world to pay tribute to a historic town. Peppered with Instagrammable havelis inlaid with stunning frescoes, as well as historic temples and cenotaphs, Shekhawati mimics an open air gallery, transporting one to a sepia-tinted era when it was a vibrant hub of creativity powered by the influential trading community of Seths, Suranas and Kotharis.
VHAH is organised by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (Shekhawati Chapter) in collaboration with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan and Shruti Poddar Foundation. Praising the initiative, Union minister of tourism and culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat at VHAH exclusively told Arts & Soul that the strategic location of Ramgarh-Shelkhawati – as well as its accessibility to the airport, proximity to major cities like Jaipur and upcoming hotels –lends itself well to being a global destination.
“Festivals like VHAH which showcase the region’s authenticity while aiding in its development have a multiplier effect on its tourism and economy. The area’s generative soil has produced many stalwarts and artists including Kripal Singh Shekhawat, the founder of Jaipur’s famous blue pottery among others. Such creativity needs to be nurtured by making it a people’s movement,” he explained.
Culture Crucible
Festival organizer Shruti Nada Poddar, Founder and Managing Trustee, Shruti Foundation, added that this year’s festival brings the untapped heartland of Rajasthan to life offering visitors an unparalleled opportunity to explore the region’s rich cultural heritage, artistic brilliance and holistic wellness practices. “It offers visitors a holistic journey of self-discovery, rejuvenation and artistic engagement. Whether you’re a connoisseur of culture, a seeker of wellness, or an adventurer at heart, VHAH offers a deeper connection to the timeless beauty of Rajasthan,” she said.
Committed to reviving the town’s cultural legacy, the artist and singer highlighted that the event also “celebrates Shekhawati’s history, art, and traditions and ensuring their continued relevance for future generations”.
The festival also hopes to empower local artisans and elevate their craftsmanship. The thoughtfully designed workshops aim to refine the skills of the community while showcasing their artistic brilliance, offering them a platform to shine and gain recognition for their exceptional talent, added Poddar.
Cinema & The Arts
VHAH also commemorated the 100th birth anniversary of Guru Dutt, a visionary filmmaker whose artistry transformed Indian cinema. The centennial celebration included the ‘Guru Dutt Moonlight Mehfil’; a dinner concert led by Anuraag Poddar, along with insights from Nasreen Munni Kabir and Shruti Nada Poddar.
However, the festival’s highlight was the launch of The Mohar Art Gallery, a tribute to the artistic brilliance of iconic Indian artists Raja Ravi Varma and M.V. Dhurandhar. Inaugurated by Prince Rama Varma, a descendant of Raja Ravi Varma, it is currently holding two shows — “The Archway” and the “Mohar Art Gallery” – depicting oleographs by Varma and Dhurandhar spotlighting the beauty of Shringar Rasa as illustrated in Shekhawati frescoes.
Considered among the greatest painters in the history of Indian art, Verma embodied the best examples of the fusion of European academic art with a quintessentially Indian sensibility. His prolific oeuvre also contained affordable lithographs of his paintings which made his art inclusive while enhancing its reach among the hoi polloi. The 19th century painter’s works such as `Hamsa and Damyanti’; `Shakuntala’; `Galaxy of Musicians’ and `Here Comes Papa’ brought to life eclectic portraits of Indians and British in India.
A Focus on Performing Arts
The festival also showcased a one-of-a-kind collaboration between Irish performing artist Jason Donnelly and the Kalbeliya dancers, blending diverse cultural expressions into a captivating medley. Visitors also participated in enriching workshops on restorative ayurvedic sessions and holistic practices to harmonize the mind, body and soul.
“At the festival, we believe in a holistic approach to well-being. The curated wellness program offers a unique blend of ancient wisdom and modern practices. I’m thrilled to be co-conducting the Vedic Yagya alongside Acharya Shrivatsa Goswami, an experience that promises to purify the mind and create a sense of inner harmony,” elaborated Poddar.
Sessions on the unique art of applique work by award-winning Barmer artisans drew huge footfalls as also workshops on home linen crafted from katran (leftover cloth trimmings) which explored ancient restoration techniques. Sessions on heritage restoration, turban-tying, and weaving sessions generated enthusiasm. Rajasthani cuisine, evenings filled with Sufi melodies, and starlit cinema under the desert sky made the festival an immersive experience. Heritage walks to view the exquisite “mohar haveli” (mansions) as well as camel cart rides and tuk-tuk tours provided a deep dive into Ramgarh-Shekhawati’s kaleidoscopic culture.
Shringar Rasa
Shringar – the Rasa of Beauty, Love, Adornment, and Romance — was the festival’s guiding theme this year’s evident from its eclectic programming encompassing. The show “Immersion in the Rasas of Love” explored the divine love of Radha and Krishna through Bharatnatyam, dance and storytelling performed by Padmashri Geeta Chandran. Odishi exponent Vidushi Sujata Mohapatra impressed with her rendition of Jayadeva’s “Geet Govinda,” a timeless treatise on love. The festival culminated with a grand musical tribute by Amrish Mishra.
“As the festival’s curator, I’m delighted to bring Sunanda Sharma’s music and Sujatha Mohapatra’s dance as part of the Shringara vector in the festival. Also, inspired by Acharya Shri Shrivatsa Goswami’s thoughts on the eternal love between Radha and Krishna, my performance focusses on `shringara abhinaya’. Emotions like Sambhoga shringar, Viraha and Khandita. Radha and Krishna are metaphors at many levels representing the individual soul longing for merging with the divine,” said Chandran.
Delhi-based journalist and editor Neeta Lal has worked with India’s leading publications in her three-decade career. She writes for over 20 publications worldwide and was nominated for World Media Summit Global Awards for Excellence 2014 and SOPA Awards 2014. A postgraduate in English literature, she has also been a scholar at the International Summer School, Norway and Concordia University, Canada, and has travelled to 75 countries.
