Brushing heritage on wood: Kangra women turn art into empowerment

A unique 50-day workshop, sponsored by the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, recently concluded in Dhugiari village, Kangra, showcasing handcrafted wooden décor inspired by the famed Kangra miniature paintings. Held under the guidance of master artist Dhani Ram and designer Nishta Chug, the initiative empowered 30 local participants—mostly women—to blend traditional art with modern utility.

This was a rare effort to bring Kangra Kalam—rooted in the 18th-century Guler school—onto wooden surfaces. From torans and wall clocks to banana leaf trays, key holders, mirrors, fridge magnets, and even piggy banks, each piece reflected the detailed brushwork and heritage motifs that define Kangra art.

“This workshop is more than training—it’s a revival,” said Anuj Narayan, manager, Skill Department, emphasising the government’s role in artisan training, certification and export facilitation. Participants were also provided stipends during the programme, making it both a skill-building and livelihood-generating opportunity.

At the vibrant closing ceremony, dignitaries including Village Pradhan Nisha Kumari, educator Anita Mankotia, and retired Colonel H S Mankotia applauded the artisans for innovating while staying rooted in tradition. They remarked how these handcrafted items could serve as souvenirs—tokens of remembrance from the Kangra hills.

The initiative not only revived a historic art form but also planted the seeds of sustainable economic empowerment in the region. It stood as a shining example of how tradition, when nurtured with skill and support, can carve a prosperous path forward.