Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. JAMMU: Jammu is all set to witness a vibrant celebration of art, culture, and intellectual exchange as the 4th edition of the Tawi Festival 2026 will be held from March 6 to March 15, bringing together renowned scholars, artists, environmentalists, and cultural practitioners from across the region. The ten-day festival aims to highlight the rich heritage of Jammu while addressing contemporary social and environmental concerns through dialogue, art, and cultural activities.
The festival is being organized by the Amar Mahal Museum and Library (AMML) in collaboration with Kala Kendra and IIT Jammu, promising a series of engaging events that blend tradition, creativity, and intellectual discourse.
The activities will commence on March 6 with a workshop on “Elements of Basohli Miniature Painting” at Amar Mahal, to be conducted by noted artist Sohan Singh Billawaria. The workshop will offer participants an opportunity to explore the intricate techniques and cultural significance of the traditional Basohli painting style.
A curtain-raiser event will be held on March 12 at IIT Jammu, where eminent statesman Dr. Karan Singh will deliver an address followed by an interactive session with students, encouraging dialogue on culture, heritage, and ideas among the youth.
The formal inauguration of the festival will take place on March 13 at the historic Amar Mahal Palace and will be inaugurated by Dr. Karan Singh. The opening day will feature a seminar on “Environment and Heritage," including a keynote address by eminent ecologist Dr. Rajesh Thadani, along with expert discussions on biodiversity, sacred groves, and heritage trees of the region. On the same day, an art camp and exhibitions at Kala Kendra will be jointly inaugurated by Dr. Karan Singh and B. M. Sharma, IFS, Principal Secretary of Culture, JKUT.
One of the major highlights of the festival will be a special exhibition of photo essays by senior journalists, scheduled from March 13 to March 23, documenting the devastating floods in the region and the impact of war in border areas. The exhibition will present powerful visual narratives portraying resilience, displacement, and the lived experiences of people affected by such events.
On March 14, discussions under the theme “Literature and Ideas” will bring together eminent writers and poets from borderland regions. Faculty members and students of IIT Jammu will present oral histories from Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch, highlighting stories of memory, struggle, and survival from these areas. The day will conclude with a music recital by Vijay Singh Sambyal (Rangeelay Thakur) and his students, adding a cultural touch to the literary discussions.
The festival will culminate on March 15 with a grand cultural Mela at the lawns of Amar Mahal, featuring traditional crafts, organic cuisine, pottery, block printing, books in local languages, and vibrant folk performances. The concluding session will host a discussion on “A Statesman and a Seeker: The Extraordinary Life and Legacy of Dr. Karan Singh,” the authorized biography written by Prof. Harbans Singh. The session will take place in the presence of Dr. Karan Singh, with Prof. Rekha Choudhary in conversation with the author and the veteran statesman.
The Tawi Festival 2026 is supported by the Hari Tara Charitable Trust, Jammu, and aims to strengthen cultural dialogue, promote environmental awareness, and celebrate the diverse artistic and intellectual traditions of the region.
