Gujjar culture must be preserved: Vohra

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 5

Former Governor NN Vohra inaugurated a five-day painting and photo exhibition “Letho” by Sumiarah Mumtaz Choudhary and Adnan Kohli at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi on Saturday.

Supported by the state tribal department and Salam Foundation, the exhibition presented glimpses of the life and culture of the nomadic Gujjars of Jammu and Kashmir. The programme was attended by a number of dignitaries, artists and members of the Gujjar community.

In his inaugural address, Vohra, who is the president of the India International Centre, New Delhi, said the Gujjars constituted an important segment of the plural society.

He said the life and culture of the Gujjars, especially nomads, who lived in J&K, required immediate preservation and documentation, besides dissemination at the nation and international level.

He appreciated the artists — Sumiarah Mumtaz Choudhary and Adnan Kohli — both from Poonch district, for the work displayed by them at the exhibition.

Speaking on the occasion, Sumiarah said the exhibition and its elements were close to her heart as they depicted the art and culture of her own tribe.

“I firmly believe that this venture will propagate the indigenous culture of the tribal community of J&K through art,” she said.

Adnan Kohli, whose photographs on nomadic Gujjars were on display, said the colours of life of nomads were alive and vibrant. “I tried to capture the core elements of the Gujjar culture and heritage. I travelled to the upper reaches of the Pir Panjal region with Gujjars for months together to capture their style,” he said.

“Sumiarah’s collection (of paintings) represents the indigenous traditions, natural beauty, moods and the ethos of the Gujjar and Bakerwal nomads,” one of the visitors said. Those who spoke at the inaugural ceremony included eminent dignitaries such as PSN Rao, Mahaver and Mumtaz Choudhary, father of Sumiarah Mumtaz.

A total of 90 paintings and photographs are on display at the exhibition. The gallery will remain open till January 10.