Art & Culture
“The World of Rock Art Exhibition” at HP State Museum in Shimla showcases purity of rock art

SHIMLA- The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) and State Museum Himachal Pradesh have collaborated to present “The World of Rock Art Exhibition” being organized at Museum Chaura Maidan.
IGNCA has conceived a major academic programme, which relates to exploring artistic manifestations emanating from man’s primary sense perceptions. The rock art forms a crucial component of the Adi Drishya programme. Its conceptual plan aims to open the doors to the realisation that rock art is pure and absolute and hence capable of dispensing great experience beyond its original culture and time.
The IGNCA’s concern with prehistoric rock art is neither restricted to the Archaeologists, and the prehistorians’ concern with establishing a linear chronological order of prehistoric rock art, nor is it restricted to the identification of style and school as criterion for establishing chronology. Instead, it is a concern for man’s creativity across time and space and civilizations and cultures through the perception of the sight.
In the ongoing exhibition people are getting opportunity to experience the ancient art form and hence learning about the change in civilization. The subject matter of the rock art is also varied starting from the simplest geometrical lines found in the Panaramittee tradition of Australia to complex geometrical deigns executed by the Chumash people of California. Animals are the most favored subjects of the early man as they were their source of life sustenance.
Exhibition is turning out to be very informative as it is giving insight into the rock art all over the world and hence making one identify with the art form which often goes unnoticed.
As Dr Hari Chauhan Curator state museum informs
In Himachal Lahaul and Spiti area there are nearly 2000 rock arts pieces can be found. Our main objective is to create awareness among the local people so that if they come across anything similar they can report to the department so that we can preserve it for future generations. Often for a lay man it is mere scribble and we believe they all need to know the significant role that rock art played in recoding human history.
List of World Heritage Rock Art Sites include
AFRICA
Rock Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus, Libya; Tassili n’ Ajjer, Algeria; Kondoa Rock Art Site, Tanzania; Chongoni Rock Art Area, Malawi; Twyfelfontein, Namibia; Drakensberg Park; .Matoba Hills; Tsodllo, Botswana
ASIA
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, India; Petroglyphs within the Archaeological Landscape of Tamgaly, Kazakhstan; Petroglyphic Complexes of the Mongolian Altai, Mongolia; Gobustan Rock Art South Africa Cultural Landscape, Azerbaijan
AMERICA (NORTH & SOUTH)
Rock Paintings of Sierra de San Francisco, Mexico; Prehistoric caves of Yagul and Mitla in the central valley of Oaxaca, Mexico; Serra de Capivara National Park, Brazil; Cueva de las Manos, Argentina ; Chavin, Peru
EUROPE
Prehistoric Sites and decorated caves of the Vezere Valley, France; Rock Engravings of Valcamonica, Italy; Rock Art of Alta, Norway; Cave of Altamira and Palaeolithic Cave Art, Spain; Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Coa Valley and Siega Verda, Portugal and Spain; Rock Art of the Mediterranean Basin on the Iberian Peninsula, Spain; Rock Carvings in Tanum, Sweden
AUSTRALIA
Kakadu National Park, Australia
Art & Culture
Amid Steep Rise in COVID-19 Cases, HP Govt to Open Temples/Religious Places from Sept 10

Shimla- The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Himachal Pradesh had reached 6830 by September 4, 2020. Yesterday the State reported 215 new positive cases with two deaths. The COVID-19 death tally rose to 48 with these new casualties reported from Sirmaur and Kangra districts.
According to the yesterday’s COVID-19 bulletin released by the State Health Department, highest 37 cases were reported in Kangra district followed by Solan (35) Sirmaur (33), Chamba (33), Mandi (32), Una (20), Bilaspur (7), Hamirpur (7), Shimla (8), and Kullu (3). Till Friday evening, the number of active cases in the state was 1815 as 4920 persons had recovered.
HP Health Department’s COVID-19 Bulletin for August 4, 2020 ( 9 PM)
Amid this steep rise in cases in Himachal, the State Government on Friday held a Cabinet meeting in which it decided to open temples and religious places from September 10.
The Language, Art and Culture Department will prepare SOP in this regard. Registration would be required for people entering the State till September 15. The quarantine requirement would be reduced from 14 days to 10 days. The District Administration would strictly enforce the use of masks and social distancing in the field, the government said.
The Cabinet decided to provide wheat flour and rice to the income tax payee APL Consumers under Public Distribution System as was being provided to them earlier on APL rates and provide them pulses, edible oil, salt and sugar on zero-subsidy on actual rates.
The State Cabinet decided to request the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India to sign Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) related to Affordable Rental Housing Complexes Scheme with the state government.
It decided to fill up 10 posts of class IV employees in Panchayati Raj Department.
It gave its approval to transfer Gram Panchayat Kot from Police Station Shimla East (Chhota Shimla) to Police Station West (Boileauganj) in district Shimla to facilitate the people.
Art & Culture
Himachal Academy Shikhar Samman 2017-18 Announced, These 4 Persons Would be Honored

Shimla– ‘Himachal Academy Shikhar Samman’ Award has been announced for the year 2017-18, informed the Secretary Academy Dr. Karam Singh on June 6, 2020.
The recommendation of the jury the winners have been announced, he said, adding that four Shikhar Samman (awards) would be given in the field of language, culture and literature for two years and Rs. one lakh each would be given to each awardee.
He said that for the year 2017, Prof. Keshav Sharma would be honoured for contribution in Literature and special achievements. Folk Singer Mohan Rathour would be honoured with Language and Culture Shikar Samman.
For the year 2018, Dr. O.C. Handa would be honoured with Sahitya Shikhar Samman, whereas Dinesh Kumari of Kangra would be honoured in Art and Culture sector.
The ‘Shikhar Samman’ is given to the Himachali writers in the field of art and culture and to littérateurs from the country who worked for the promotion of Himachali language, traditions and culture.
Art & Culture
Video: Replica of Himachal’s Bhimakali Temple at International Surajkund Mela Becomes Centre of Attraction

Shimla- The replica of Bhimakali temple in the ongoing 34th International Surajkund Crafts Mela has become the main attraction. The real temple is located in Sarahan of Shimla district and dedicated to goddess Bhimakali.
Himachal is a theme state for this event. A large number of people are visiting to see the permanent structure of the Bhimakali temple, which has been built in traditional style.
Earlier, in the year 1996 also Himachal was the theme state and permanent replica of Maheshwar Devta temple was set up there. Surajkund Mela Authority and Haryana Tourism has organized the event in collaboration with the Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture, and External Affairs from 1st to 16th February .
Besides this, five temporary gates and one permanent gate made in traditional Himachali style have been set up in the Mela ground, giving a glimpse of the state. Two-storey Apna Ghar made in traditional Pahari style has also been set up and a family from district Chamba is starting in it this family is providing the tourists with an experience of rural culture and lifestyle of the state.
The stalls of handicrafts and handlooms of the state are also being much liked by the tourists. Various cultural programmes reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the state are being presented during the Mela. A large number of tourists are also visiting the information centre set up at the Mela ground.
The government claims that in order to attract national and international tourists, the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation, Himachal Pradesh is marketing and publicizing the tourism potential of the State.
The government claims such international level platform will help in the promotion of Tourism as well as rich cultural heritage, folk songs, handloom-handicrafts, cuisines of the state and these tourism-related products are the attraction for the tourists.
-
Misc News/Press Release4 weeks ago
HP Election Commission Notifies Schedule for General Elections to Panchayats
-
Misc News/Press Release4 weeks ago
Kinnaur: In a Horrifying Incident Tourist Falls to Death from ‘Suicide Point’ While Taking Photos
-
Misc News/Press Release4 weeks ago
Kinnaur Suicide Point Death Wasn’t Accident, Woman Was Pushed off Cliff by Driver: Police
-
Misc News/Press Release4 weeks ago
With Nine New Fatalities, COVID-19 Death Tally Mounts to 873, CM Jairam Says Virus Under Control
-
HW Community2 days ago
The Story of Himachal’s ‘Friendly Leopard’ from the Viral Videos
-
Misc News/Press Release4 weeks ago
Amid Panic Over Spread of ‘New Coronavirus Strain’, India Suspends All Flights from UK
-
Campus Watch4 weeks ago
Class 10th and 12th Yearly Exams Will Not be Conducted Online Due to Lack of Uniform Internet Connectivity in State: HPBOSE
-
Misc News/Press Release4 weeks ago
Markets in Himachal Allowed to Open on Sundays, One Hour Relaxation in Night Curfew