India International Centre and Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts will organise 'Dard Aryans Of Ladakh' from May 4 – 13, 2019 at the Art Gallery, Kamaladevi Complex, IIC.
Photographed and curated by Virendra Bangroo, the exhibition will present a visual journey through Dha, Hanu, Garkone and Darchik in Ladakh. Also, the ten-day event will highlight first impressions of man in rock art form in the region; Dard settlements; festivals and festivities; beliefs and practices.
Other than the photographs, a documentary film Dard Aryans of Ladakh – Conflict Between Tradition and Modernity will also be screened during the event. And, 'Dard Aryans of Ladakh' – an illustrated lecture by Virendra Bangroo, art historian and scholar, and in Charge of Visual Unit, Kalanidhi Division, IGNCA will also be organised in the Art Gallery on May 10, at 6:30 pm.
For those who don't know, Aryan Valley of Ladakh is home to rich and colourful legacy of the Dard Aryans inhabiting this area. The community has retained its age-old cultural practices and beliefs despite facing many odds. The people of that area are ever vigilant soldiers defending our frontiers along with our Army. The spirit of Dard Aryans of Ladakh for bringing and presenting us their rich cultural legacy, is salute-worthy.
Previously, IGNCA has contributed immensely in the mapping of the intangible cultural heritage of the country. Virendra Bangroo has traversed length and breadth of the Himalayas and worked for the preservation of ethnic cultural pockets. He has also worked in this community for creating awareness about the rich cultural diversity of the region. As a result, two community Museums in Aryan Valley which have become role model for safeguarding the cultural heritage and sustainable development in the region can also be seen.