Published in The Tribune on 11 September 2007

Governor V.S. Kokje inaugurated a painting school here today. Speaking at a function organised by the Kangra Art Promotion Society after the inauguration, he said Kangra paintings should depict modern themes related to the common masses.

He said that there was a need to preserve the originality of Kangra painting besides keeping up the modern traditions. He said the artists needed to work hard to achieve the objective and to earn well from painting. He said the responsibility of popularising the art lay with the artists.

He lauded the efforts of the society in reviving Kangra painting and said there was a need to make efforts for the promotion of this art.

He honoured Akshay Ranchal, Ajay Mittal, Vijay Lal, Faiz Murtaza Ali, Smriti Chadda, Yogi Mahajan and Ajay Singh Mankotia for sponsoring trainees admitted to the training school. He also visited the painting exhibition put up on the occasion.

Local MLA Chandresh Kumari urged to rename the school as Maharaja Sansar Chand School and said he played a significant role in the promotion of Kangra art.

Divisional commissioner, who is also chairman of the society, B.K. Aggarwal spoke on the objectives of the training school. He said the school would provide Rs 1,500 scholarship per month to six students and Rs 35,000 would be spent on each student every year.

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