SHIMLA -15 October, 2026-On the concluding day of the diamond jubilee celebrations at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study (IIAS), Rashtrapati Niwas, Shimla, Governor Kavinder Gupta unveiled the bust of former President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, also the founder of the Institute, and inaugurated the permanent art gallery dedicated to Kangra miniature paintings, titled ‘Kangra Kalam: The Pahari Miniature Art Gallery’.

On the occasion, the Governor also released the book ‘Folk and Rural Imagery in Kangra Miniatures: An Indigenous Indian Art Perspective’ based on Kangra miniature paintings. The event marked a significant step in the Institute’s efforts to bring Himachal Pradesh’s rich artistic heritage, Pahari community life and traditional art and culture to a wider audience.

While interacting with the media, the Governor said that Kangra painting is a symbol of our civilisation and culture. He said that the Himalayan states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand share several cultural and civilisational similarities, which are expressed effectively through the region’s paintings. The Himalayan region reflects both ancient and modern traditions of painting.

The Governor expressed confidence that the newly established gallery would provide tourists from India and abroad with an opportunity to understand the civilisation, culture and artistic traditions of the hill regions. He emphasised the need to keep the art forms and traditions of these regions alive and acknowledged the significant work undertaken by artists in this direction. Appreciating the initiative, he said that the gallery would serve as a gift while also playing an important role in preserving the region’s civilisation and cultural heritage.

The gallery is closely associated with the concept of Folk and Rural Imagery in Kangra Miniatures: An Indigenous Indian Art Perspective. It places particular emphasis on presenting Pahari community life, rural activities, folk music, traditional customs and the relationship between local communities and nature through the medium of miniature painting.

Folk and Rural Imagery in Kangra Miniatures: An Indigenous Indian Art Perspective, authored by Prof. Himanshu Kumar Chaturvedi and Dr. Pankaj Gupta, represents an effort to understand Pahari folk life, rural settings and local cultural experiences through Kangra miniature painting.

The occasion symbolised respect for the intellectual legacy associated with the establishment of the Institute and its academic objectives. Dr. Radhakrishnan is remembered for his contributions to philosophy, education and the pursuit of knowledge. His bust on the Institute’s premises underscores the enduring values of scholarship and intellectual inquiry.