By Tania Saili Bakshi
DEHRADUN, 25 Oct: VoW, 2025 opened to a grand celebration in its 9th edition. The open access, free entry two-day event saw it continuing collaboration with INTACH as they put together an exhibit in sync with the festival’s theme of Uttarakhand @ 25. Curated with great care was the exhibition titled ‘Continuum: a commitment to the future and the past, 25 years of Cultural Celebration.’
The exhibit brought together a diverse troop of artists whose varied work explored the evolution of the hill-state through — food, jewelry, music, and cinema which are today powerful metaphors of culture, identity and expression.
Curator & Co-convenor INTACH, Uttarakhand, Anjali Bhartari who has been the brain behind the exhibit felt that her interaction with Team VoW has always been a value addition, “the team is fantastic, professional and focused. A lot of thought and brainstorming happens for each session which I personally like because that reflects the involvement and commitment to the festival and through it to the arts.”
How different is the exhibit this year around? She states, “From indigenous traditions to contemporary interpretations, the exhibition opens a dialogue between cultural heritage and innovation,” she further add, “the exhibit is a celebration of Uttarakhand’s rich diversity— that invites the curious mind to discover new tales, interpretations, and memories embedded in the materials that continue to define and transform the region’s identity.”
Those who contributed to the exhibit this year are: 1. Jewellery, presented by: Surbhi Aggarwal, Manju Tamta: Mussoorie and Dehradun; 2. Food and farming presented by: Surender Kumar, Prachi Raturi, Mussoorie, Kapil Dhobal, Dehradun; 3. Music and films: presented by: Kri Art Gallery, Dehradun; 4. Films: presented by Raju Gosain, Rishikesh; 5. Dresses: Presented by: Sameer Shukla, Mussoorie, Surender Kumar, Maindrath; and 6. Yarns and Dye: Avini, Berinag, Arohi, Nainital, Chitkul, Dehradun.
Anjali adds, “we also have a graphic representation of the timeline of the formation of Uttarakhand which we intend to use as a roaming exhibition in the coming year to various historic sites, schools, colleges and institutions.” She further added, “There is also a session dedicated to Jal (water) where we discuss natural water systems with Ravi Chopra and SS Rawat. We intend to highlight the cultural connect with these springs and naulas (streams) and bring out their importance in relation to food security.”
Other than this, Satpal Gandhi’s exhibit Rust & Ribs: Anatomy Carved in Metal motto, ‘Your trash is my treasure’ came alive in his exhibits put together with household and auto part junk. Ace photographer Bhumesh Bharti’s Aerial Vistas of Uttarakhand have been prominently displayed at the venue for all to admire. Along with The Beggars Corporation of India exhibition Don’t donate – purchase, Iti Smriti memorabilia products by VoW volunteers, Tribes India: Handlooms & Artifacts from across the country, NAFED: Farm Produce from all over Bharat, Iti Lekh: Natraj Book Store A range of classic & contemporary books give visitors across age groups something more to look forward to.
