Festival highlights region’s heritage, creative talent and economic potential
Kathua : The three-day Basohli Utsav 2026 concluded Thursday with a spectacular celebration of the region’s rich cultural heritage, artistic traditions, sporting spirit and entrepreneurial potential. The final day witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, artists, investors and the general public, reaffirming Basohli’s growing prominence as a vibrant centre of art, culture and tourism.
A major highlight of the festival was the massive turnout of people to witness Basohli’s century-old traditional Ramleela. The historic open-air performance drew large crowds from Basohli and adjoining areas, reflecting the enduring appeal of this age-old tradition and its deep-rooted cultural and religious significance. The overwhelming public participation underscored the importance of preserving and promoting Basohli’s rich cultural heritage for future generations.
The other major attraction of the festival was the Cartoon Workshop Camp, featuring seven eminent cartoonists from across India. Organised at the Front Park in the historic Fort area near Rani Talab, the workshop brought together renowned artists and budding talents. Students from different schools and artists from the Basohli Painting Centre enthusiastically participated, showcasing their imagination and artistic skills.
Cartoonist Chander Shekhar Sharma (Bunty) from Jammu also showcased his work at the camp. Based on the themes “Vikas Bhi Aur VirasatBhi” and “NashaMukt Bharat”, the workshop creatively conveyed messages of development, heritage preservation and a drug-free society.
Promoting sportsmanship and teamwork, a Tug of War event was held at Ramleela Ground, drawing enthusiastic participation from the sporting community. The event added energy to the festival while highlighting the importance of physical fitness, discipline and collective spirit.
In a significant initiative to promote economic growth and investment, an Investor Meet was organised as part of Basohli Utsav 2026, bringing together more than 70 investors. The meet provided an important platform to explore investment opportunities and highlight Basohli’s potential for enterprise, tourism and economic development.
The festival also showcased the region’s exceptional artistic legacy through an exhibition featuring traditional artefacts, Basohli paintings and Basohli Pashmina. Presented around the theme “Shakti Parampara vis-à-vis Basohli Arts”, with Geet Govind as a central theme, the exhibition highlighted the distinctive artistic traditions, craftsmanship and cultural heritage that make Basohli renowned. It offered visitors an opportunity to appreciate the region’s traditional art forms and the creative excellence of local artisans.
The literary sessions added intellectual depth to the celebrations. The Youth Parliament on “Gaon Mein Rozgar KeAvsar” provided a platform for students to deliberate on rural employment opportunities, while the panel discussion on “AI Mein Manavta Ka Sangharsh” encouraged reflection on the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and humanity.
The evening featured a spiritually uplifting Ravi Aarti at the iconic Atal Setu, creating a memorable confluence of devotion, tradition and the scenic beauty of the Ravi riverbank. Traditional Jhanki presentations and cultural performances further enriched the festive atmosphere, adding to the vibrancy of Basohli Utsav 2026.
Basohli Utsav 2026 culminated with vibrant cultural programmes and a prize distribution ceremony, celebrating the talent and creativity of artists, students and performers. The cultural performances showcased the region’s rich artistic traditions and heritage, while the prize distribution recognised the achievements of participants in various activities held during the three-day festival. The event reflected the spirit of “Vikas Bhi Aur VirasatBhi”, highlighting the importance of preserving Basohli’s cultural legacy and promoting local talent, art and tourism.
Basohli Utsav 2026 served as a significant platform for showcasing the region’s rich heritage, promoting traditional crafts, encouraging youth participation, fostering investment and strengthening Basohli’s identity as a destination for culture and tourism.
