November,India: In an era where fast fashion and machine-made products dominate, India Retails and Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. (IRHPL), is taking a bold step to preserve something timeless. Through its conscious retail arm ARTPORT, IRHPL has launched a dedicated initiative to revive Kangra Painting—India’s oldest surviving school of miniature art, born in the 18th century in the lush valleys of Himachal Pradesh.
Kangra painting is more than art—it is living history. Known for its lyrical brushstrokes, natural landscapes, and soulful depictions of Radha-Krishna’s eternal love, Kangra once flourished under royal courts. Today, it stands on the brink of disappearance, with only a handful of artisans continuing the tradition, often with little recognition or financial stability.
IRHPL is the first company to step in with a structured revival program ensuring the art is brought back into relevance. The initiative is rooted in three principles:
- Direct Collaboration with Artists – retailing art at its store, providing artisans fair royalties, visibility, and dignity.
- Cultural Storytelling – presenting Kangra as heritage, not commodity, through exhibitions, retail, and digital platforms.
- Sustainable Empowerment – enabling long-term livelihoods so that younger generations see value in continuing the craft.
“Kangra art is poetry painted on paper. It carries India’s spiritual and aesthetic heritage in every brushstroke. Through ARTPORT, we are not only protecting this endangered art but giving its practitioners the stage, respect, and opportunity they deserve,” said Mr. Naresh Sharma, CEO of IRHPL Group of Companies.
One of the master artists collaborating with ARTPORT is Master Artisan name Dhaniram and his team, who has spent decades practicing Kangra but struggled to sustain his craft. With ARTPORT’s support, his works are now reaching audiences beyond Himachal—creating awareness, appreciation, and hope that younger artisans may once again embrace this fading tradition.
This revival is not just about saving a painting style; it is about cultural continuity—ensuring that India’s past speaks to its present and future. ARTPORT seeks to create a bridge where artisans thrive, heritage lives on, and global audiences discover the soulful beauty of Kangra art.
