Shimla, June 1
As part of the ongoing International Shimla Summer Festival-2026, a unique art and cultural event titled “Canvas of The Hills” was organised at the historic Ridge Maidan, bringing together renowned painters and artists from across the country to celebrate the beauty and heritage of Himachal Pradesh through art.
The festival witnessed participation from eminent artists representing different states, who captured Shimla’s natural landscapes, colonial architecture, cultural traditions and historical landmarks on their canvases. The live painting and sketching sessions attracted the attention of both tourists and local residents, adding a vibrant artistic dimension to the summer festival.
Deputy Commissioner Shimla and Chairman of the International Shimla Summer Festival Committee, Anupam Kashyap, felicitated all participating artists with certificates of appreciation. The artists also presented their artworks to the Deputy Commissioner during the event.
Speaking on the occasion, Kashyap said the initiative aims to provide a common platform for artists from different parts of the country, encourage cultural exchange through art, and promote Shimla’s unique identity at the national level. He added that the artists created their works while observing the natural and historical surroundings of the Ridge and nearby areas.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that in the next phase of the programme, participating artists will visit the picturesque Spiti Valley to document the Himalayan region’s breathtaking landscapes through their creative expressions.
A special exhibition featuring the artworks created during the festival will be organised in the coming months, offering art enthusiasts an opportunity to experience Himachal Pradesh’s cultural and natural heritage from a fresh perspective.
Artists from Pune, Jodhpur, Visakhapatnam, Assam and Shimla took part in the event. Among the participants were Shirish Deshpande, Manoj Soman, Sandeep Khedkar, Nitin Mahamuni, Mahendra Kondekar, Suhasini M. Kondekar, Radha Soman, Vinita Purohit Lohara, Gulzar Hussain, Sai Manikiran Veduruparthi, Vamsi Kiran Paila, Debapriya Bezbaruah, Nakshadeep Singh and Rajendra Mehta.
The organisers described “Canvas of The Hills” as a significant step towards strengthening Shimla’s cultural identity and showcasing the natural and artistic richness of Himachal Pradesh to a wider audience through creative expression.
