Appreciating the rich culture and heritage of Jammu and Kashmir, Advisor to Governor, Farooq Khan, today pitched for its preservation by all the stakeholders.“Our art, literature, architecture are the hallmarks of our human existence. They form a common thread that unites all civilizations and cultures, a celebration of our emotional lives and our society,” asserted the Advisor.Khan was speaking during his visit to Shashvat Art Gallery and Museum, the biggest private art gallery and museum in the state situated at Uppar Bazaar Dhaunthly.The Advisor said that the state government is working for preservation of rich heritage and cultural ethos of J&K but all of us need to collaborate to conserve and preserve this legacy of the state for the posterity.Accompanied by Dr Meenakashi Kilam Registrar, University of Jammu, S S Wazir, former President, State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board, Mohit Oswal, Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, Additional Secretary, J&K State Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, J&K, Ravinder Singh, Assistant Professor, University of Jammu among others, Khan spend over two hours at the Museum and appreciated the efforts of the Abrol family towards preservation of the Gallery since past many years.This Art Gallery is a result of sincere efforts of Dr Suresh Abrol and his three brothers Naresh, Rakesh and Vinod who have converted their three storyed home into a museum. These valuable manuscripts are part of their grandfather Lala Rekhi Ram Abrol's collections who was a jeweller in the court of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra ruler, and collected many of these items.
The Museum had over 1,500 Pahari miniature paintings including Basohli, Kashmir, Jammu and Kangra School of Miniature Paintings besides hundreds of rare manuscripts and ancient manuscripts, elegant calligraphic works, rare Quranic manuscripts and art masterpieces etc.“Our cultural heritage defines our humanity. Cultural diversity plays a quantifiable and crucial part in our evolution,” the Advisor said adding it is not just buildings and papers; it is about identity and human history”.While applauding the efforts of Abrol family in saving such rich traditions, Khan invited Dr Abrol to work and collaborate closely with the state government in showcasing this to the outer world in Jammu and Kashmir and rest of India too. Making a special mention of over 100 series of paintings on Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Khan said that they would get it deciphered and showcase it all over the country on behalf of state government on the occasion of 550th birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji in November this year.Dr Meenakshi Kilam, while speaking at the occasion, highlighted the importance of art, culture, artifacts, manuscripts and other heritage adding that the University is also in the process of starting Manuscripts Conservation Centre in future.“Museums are a rare source of education,” she said adding museums are becoming education and research institutes. We have to utilize them for the best of the society and enlighten the minds of the people,” she said museums act as institutes and schools for scholars and students.S S Wazir, former president, State Gurdwara Parbandhak Board also appreciated the efforts of Abrol family and said that he would also extend his finaicial and moral support to this gallery. Earlier, Dr Abrol welcomed the Advisor to the Museum and presented him a bouquet.