Artists transform public walls as Mandi celebrates 500 years

As part of the grand celebrations marking 500 years of the historic town of Mandi, the district administration and the Mela Committee, in collaboration with the Mandi Municipal Corporation, organised a series of cultural and creative events under the banner of the International Shivratri festival. Among the highlights was a wall painting competition held for the first time on February 17 and 18.

The initiative aimed to provide a vibrant platform for young artists to showcase their creativity while celebrating the town’s rich cultural heritage and legacy. The response to the competition was overwhelming, with more than 100 young artists applying from various districts of Himachal Pradesh as well as from outside the state. After a thorough screening process, 10 teams comprising 20 participants were shortlisted for the final round.

The selected teams represented diverse regions, including Mandi, Solan, Kinnaur, Shimla, Kullu, Punjab, Delhi and Himachal Pradesh University. During the two-day event, participants transformed public walls into captivating visual narratives that depicted Mandi’s glorious past, its vibrant traditions, and the spiritual and cultural significance of the International Shivratri festival. Through intricate murals and artistic expressions, the artists brought alive themes rooted in devotion, history and community pride.

A panel of judges conducted a meticulous evaluation of the artworks, assessing creativity, thematic representation, technique and overall visual impact before announcing the results.

The prize distribution ceremony was graced by the Mandi DC and the Mayor of the Mandi Municipal Corporation, who felicitated the winners.