Folk & Contemporary Art Camp — A National Confluence at Jaipur

At the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), Jaipur, from 1 to 5 June 2026, the Folk and Contemporary Art Camp unfolds as an unprecedented confluence of tradition and modernity. Jointly organized by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur, Ministry of Culture, Government of India and RIC, this five‑day camp brings together 20 master artists across India, weaving a dialogue between folk, tribal, traditional and contemporary art forms.

Ten contemporary artists and ten folk and traditional masters will create side by side, bridging centuries‑old practices with fresh experimentation. This rare initiative offers audiences the chance to witness live creation, understand diverse techniques, and engage with cultural legacies that have survived across four to five generations.

Highlights include the masters gracing this five‑day celebration are Padma Shri Paresh Rathwa with his vibrant Pithora art of Gujarat, Padma Shri Shakir Ali breathing life into Rajasthan’s Mughal miniature tradition, and Padma Shri Dulari Devi carrying forward the delicate hues of Madhubani from Bihar. The Jangan Kalam legacy shines through Mayank Shyam, while Rajasthan’s miniature heritage finds a devoted custodian in Samdar Singh Khangarot. From Assam, Khagen Goswami brings the mystique of mask‑making, while Bengal’s Bhaskar Chitrakar revives the spirited strokes of Kalighat painting. Bihar’s Nazda Khatoon presents the intricate craft of Sikki, joined by Bappan Paul of Assam, Mrs. Ratnavalli K P from Kerala and many others whose traditions echo centuries of living heritage.

On the contemporary side, the camp welcomes stalwarts such as Kalavid Subroto Mandal, inspired by Shekhawati’s frescoes; Dr. Nandalal Thakur, weaving miniature sensibilities into modern vision; Murali Cheeroth, a leading abstract voice from Kerala; and Purna Chandra Kishan, whose landscapes sing with depth and melody. Adding to this constellation are Chandra Shekhar Sain, renowned for his terracotta and visual artistry, alongside Charan Sharma, Dileep Sharma, Pramod Arya, Ram Gopal Khumawat, and Mrs.Ketaki Roy Chowdhury—each bringing their own distinctive brush to this national canvas.

Each artist embodies a living heritage, offering audiences a direct encounter with India’s vast artistic continuum.

Curated by Nikhat Ansari, with the support of Dr. Ashwin Dalvi (Director, WZCC) and Nihal Chand Goyal (Director, RIC), the camp is envisioned as a national platform for meaningful dialogue between heritage and innovation.

FOR CHILDREN, STUDENTS, RESEARCHERS AND FAMILIES, THIS SUMMER INITIATIVE IS A RARE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPERIENCE INDIA’S TIMELESS ART TRADITIONS IN A CONTEMPORARY LIGHT.